Effect of electromagnetic field exposure on the reproductive system

Abstract

The safety of human exposure to an ever-increasing number and diversity of electromagnetic field (EMF) sources both at work and at home has become a public health issue. To date, many in vivo and in vitro studies have revealed that EMF exposure can alter cellular homeostasis, endocrine function, reproductive function, and fetal development in animal systems. Reproductive parameters reported to be altered by EMF exposure include male germ cell death, the estrous cycle, reproductive endocrine hormones, reproductive organ weights, sperm motility, early embryonic development, and pregnancy success. At the cellular level, an increase in free radicals and [Ca2+]i may mediate the effect of EMFs and lead to cell growth inhibition, protein misfolding, and DNA breaks. The effect of EMF exposure on reproductive function differs according to frequency and wave, strength (energy), and duration of exposure. In the present review, the effects of EMFs on reproductive function are summarized according to the types of EMF, wave type, strength, and duration of exposure at cellular and organism levels.

Structural and Ultrastructural Study of Rat Liver Influenced by Electromagnetic Radiation

“…Various studies demonstrated potential adverse effects of EMR in brain (El-Swefy et al, 2008;Ongel et al, 2009), kidney (Kiiatkin et al, 2005;Al-Glaib et al, 2008) and testes (Gye and Park, 2008;Almašiová et al, 2014). In our study, significant structural changes were not apparent in rat liver.…”

Exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field for 1 hour a day over 30 days does change the histopathology and biochemistry of the rat testis

“…In contrast, however, other studies have reported that EMF has no effect on male fertility or else that the effect of EMF depends on intensity, length of exposure, wavelength and distance from EMF (Margonato et al 1995, Cecconi et al 2000, Dasdag et al 2003, Kim et al 2006, Çelik et al 2012, Gye and Park 2012.…”

EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses

“…A plausible mechanism at the intracellular and intercellular level, for instance, is an interaction via the formation of free radicals or oxidative and nitrosative stress (230)(231)(232)(233)(234)(235)(236)(237)(238). It has been shown in many reports reviewed by Georgiu (15) that reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be involved in radical pair reactions; thus, radical pairs may be considered as one of the mechanisms of transduction able to initiate EMF-induced oxidative stress.…”