Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The effect of pulsed 900-MHz GSM mobile phone radiation on the acrosome reaction, head morphometry and zona binding of human spermatozoa med./bio.

By: Falzone N, Huyser C, Becker P, Leszczynski D, Franken DR

Published in: Int J Androl 2011; 34 (1): 20-26

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The objective of the study was twofold: 1) to investigate the effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure on sperm head morphometry and the acrosome response and 2) to evaluate the consequence of exposure on the spermatozoa's zona pellucida-binding capacity.

Background/further details

Semen samples were collected from 12 healthy donors. Spermatozoa were investigated immediately, 2 h and 24 h after exposure.

Endpoint

sperm morphology and acrosome reaction

Exposure

- PW pulsed wave
- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 1 h	SAR: 2 W/kg

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Waveform	pulsed
Exposure duration	continuous for 1 h

Exposure setup

Exposure source	not specified
Chamber	exposure chamber placed vertically inside a Forma CO₂ incubator
Setup	samples placed in glass Petri dishes in the exposure chamber with the plane of the culture medium parallel to the electric field; temperature-controlled water circulated through a thin rectangular glass-fibre-moulded waterbed underneath the Petri dishes
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	2 W/kg	-	-	-	-

Reference articles

Falzone N et al. (2008): In vitro effect of pulsed 900 MHz GSM radiation on mitochondrial membrane potential and motility of human spermatozoa
Leszczynski D et al. (2002): Non-thermal activation of the hsp27/p38MAPK stress pathway by mobile phone radiation in human endothelial cells: Molecular mechanism for cancer- and blood-brain barrier-related effects

Exposed system:

spermatozoa

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

sperm morphology (computerized morphometric assessment of minor and major axes, area, perimeter, acrosomal region); acrosome status (non-viable cells and acrosome-reacted cells; via 7-AAD and FITC; flow cytometry); sperm-zona pellucida binding (binding capacity; hemizona assay)

Investigated system:

spermatozoa

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The irradiation did not affect the acrosome reaction. The analysis of morphometric parameters revealed a statistically significant reduction in all the morphometric parameters of exposed sperm samples compared with unexposed controls. There was a statistically significant reduction in zona pellucida binding in exposed sperms compared with that in controls.
The authors conclude that although radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure did not adversely affect the acrosome reaction, it had a significant effect on sperm morphometry. In addition, a significant decrease in sperm binding to the hemizona was observed. These results could indicate a significant effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic field on sperm fertilization potential.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

National Research Foundation (NRF), Pretoria, South Africa
South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)

Comments on this article

Lerchl A (2012): Letter on 'The effect of pulsed 900-MHz GSM mobile phone radiation on the acrosome reaction, head morphometry and zona binding of human spermatozoa' by Falzone et al. (Int J Androl 34: 20-26, 2011)
Falzone N et al. (2012): RE:'The effect of pulsed 900-MHz GSM mobile phone radiation on the acrosome reaction, head morphometry and zona binding of human spermatozoa' by Falzone et al. (Int. J. Androl 34: 20-26, 2011): Authors' Reply

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