Does the use of mobile phones affect male fertility?

Sperm of a mouse Source: Gregor Zaun, Universität Duisburg-Essen

No evidence of harmful influence of high-frequency fields on testes and sperm cells

Heavy users of mobile phones

Reduced fertility has been observed several times in heavy users of mobile phones. This, however, is presumably attributable to other factors relating to lifestyle and not to electromagnetic fields of mobile phones. These other factors have not been further investigated as part of most of the existing studies.

Animal studies

Animal studies have yielded contradictory results even below the restrictions for mobile phones which is primarily a result of the poor quality of the studies. Variations in individual physiological parameters have been observed. Oxidative stress has often been suggested as a possible mechanism of action. However, a comparison between individual studies shows that findings have not been consistent. There have been changes in both directions - improvement, deterioration or even no changes, for example, in sperm count or viability. Different parameters varied across different studies while others remained unchanged. On the whole, the values stayed within the normal physiological range. These findings cannot be taken as evidence of the negative influence of electromagnetic fields on fertility. Those few studies that have met the standards of good scientific practice with respect to exposure, blinding, number of investigated animals and statistical evaluation, predominantly showed no influence on fertility below the restrictions.

As many of the outlined observations in animals have yet to be clarified, the WHO recommends further animal studies on the influence of high-frequency electromagnetic fields on reproductive organs in its Research Agenda 2010, but not with high priority. High standards of study quality have to be maintained.

Sperm in vitro

Some investigations showed biological effects such as decreased motility in sperm exposed in vitro to field strengths clearly above the existing restrictions for mobile phones. These effects result from heating. Exposures this high do not occur in everyday life. Even when a mobile phone is transmitting in the user's trouser pocket, his testes are exposed to electromagnetic fields far below the recommended maximum SAR values and a heating effect can be excluded.

The German Mobile Telecommunication Research Programme (DMF) found no harmful influence of high-frequency fields on fertility and development

Several projects within the German Mobile Telecommunication Research Programme addressed the question whether constant exposure to high-frequency fields impairs fertility.

Male and female laboratory rodents were investigated for long-term effects under the influence of mobile radio fields over several generations. The investigations using whole body exposures with SAR values ranging from 0.08 to 1.3 watts per kilogram found no influence on reproduction and development.

Computer simulations have shown that the thermal load due to mobile phones on the inner organs, including the male genitals, is negligible.

The Federal Office for Radiation Protection evaluated the scientific literature about the effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields on male fertility in a review in 2014. It is available for download (in German language).

Current studies

The World Health organization (WHO) has commissioned two systematic reviews on the topic of radiofrequency fields (which are used for mobile phone communication) and reproductive outcomes. One deals with observational studies and the other one with experimental studies, of which the review protocols have already been published. Male fertility will be the main (but not exclusive) issue in these reviews. The results of both reviews should be available by mid-2022.

The BfS has commissioned another systematic review on the influence of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields on fertility in humans, animals and laboratory studies. The results of this review will be available in the second half of 2022. So far, no evidence has been presented to change the previous assessment of the BfS on the influence of electromagnetic fields on male fertility.

As long as the exposure limits are not surpassed no harmful effects of high frequency electromagnetic fields on male fertility are verified by scientific evidence.