Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The Mobile Phone Decreases Fructose But Not Citrate in Rabbit Semen: A Longitudinal Study (RETRACTED) retracted

By: Salama N, Kishimoto T, Kanayama HO, Kagawa S

Published in: Syst Biol Reprod Med 2009; 55: 181-187

To study the effect of exposure to electromagnetic irradiation emitted from the mobile phone on fructose and citrate level in sperms of rabbits. (The study was retracted by publisher (Krawetz and Heinink 2012).)

Both fructose and citrate are important components in semen that facilitate sperm motility: Fructose serves as primary energy source for ejaculated sperms and citrate may inhibit seminal plasma DNAse to maintain sperm motility.
30 adult male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: 1) mobile phone exposure (n=11), 2) sham exposure group (n=11), and 3) cage control group (n=8). Semen analysis and sperm function tests were conducted weekly.

effects on the reproductive system: fructose and citrate level in sperms (as important components for sperm motility)

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 8 hr/day during 12 weeks	electric field strength: 2.92 V/m average over time (at 0.5 cm distance) electric field strength: 0.487 V/m average over time (at the most distant region of the cage) SAR: 0.43 W/kg average over mass (whole body) (as defined in the mobile phone's handbook)

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 8 hr/day during 12 weeks

Exposure source	cellular phone in standby mode
Setup	50 cm x 25 cm x 35 cm cages with plastic partitions to keep the animals in a specific position during exposure; mobile phone's antenna fixed to the cage bottom opposing the animal's genitalia
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
electric field strength	2.92 V/m	average over time	estimated	-	at 0.5 cm distance
electric field strength	0.487 V/m	average over time	estimated	-	at the most distant region of the cage
SAR	0.43 W/kg	average over mass	cf. remarks	whole body	as defined in the mobile phone's handbook

Exposed system:

Investigated system:

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

A significant decrease in both fructose levels and in the number of motile sperms was observed in the mobile phone exposure group at the 10th week and thereafter. However, there was no significant correlation between the decline in the levels of fructose and the sperm motility. The sham exposed animals showed a similar but significantly less decline in sperm motility. No significant changes in citrate levels or any other study parameters were found in the three animal groups throughout the study.
The authors conclude, that the pulsed radiofrequency emitted by the mobile phone kept in the standby mode affected sperm motility and fructose but not citrate levels in rabbit semen.

Study character:

Krawetz SA et al. (2012): Statement of Retraction: Salama N, Kishimoto T, Kanayama HO, Kagawa S. "The mobile phone decreases fructose but not citrate in rabbit semen: a longitudinal study"