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

• Published in: International journal of andrology Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 20 - 26
• Main Authors: Falzone, N, Huyser, C, Becker, P, Leszczynski, D, Franken, D.R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2011; Blackwell
• Subjects: Acrosome - radiation effects; acrosome reaction; Acrosome Reaction - radiation effects; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Phone; Fertility Agents, Male - radiation effects; Fertilization - radiation effects; Flow Cytometry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; human spermatozoa; Humans; Male; Male genital diseases; Mammalian male genital system; Medical sciences; mobile phone radiation; Radio Waves - adverse effects; Sperm Head - radiation effects; sperm morphometry; Sperm Motility - radiation effects; Sperm-Ovum Interactions - radiation effects; Spermatozoa - radiation effects; Vertebrates: reproduction; zona binding; Zona Pellucida - radiation effects; Human; Reproduction; Spermatozoa; sperm morphometry; Acrosome reaction; human spermatozoa; Germinal cell; Fecundation; Morphometry; zona binding; Male genital system; mobile phone radiation
• ISSN: 0105-6263; 1365-2605
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2010.01054.x

Several recent studies have indicated that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) have an adverse effect on human sperm quality, which could translate into an effect on fertilization potential. This study evaluated the effect of RF-EMF on sperm-specific characteristics to assess the fertilizing competence of sperm. Highly motile human spermatozoa were exposed for 1 h to 900-MHz mobile phone radiation at a specific absorption rate of 2.0 W/kg and examined at various times after exposure. The acrosome reaction was evaluated using flow cytometry. The radiation did not affect sperm propensity for the acrosome reaction. Morphometric parameters were assessed using computer-assisted sperm analysis. Significant reduction in sperm head area (9.2 ± 0.7 μm² vs. 18.8 ± 1.4 μm²) and acrosome percentage of the head area (21.5 ± 4% vs. 35.5 ± 11.4%) was reported among exposed sperm compared with unexposed controls. Sperm-zona binding was assessed directly after exposure using the hemizona assay. The mean number of zona-bound sperm of the test hemizona and controls was 22.8 ± 12.4 and 31.8 ± 12.8 (p < 0.05), respectively. This study concludes that although RF-EMF 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 RF-EMF on sperm fertilization potential.