Effects of 1950 MHz W-CDMA-like signal on human spermatozoa

There are growing concerns about how electromagnetic waves (EMW) emitted from mobile phones affect human spermatozoa. Several experiments have suggested harmful effects of EMW on human sperm quality, motility, velocity, or the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of spermatozoa. In this study, we analyzed the effects on human spermatozoa (sperm motility and kinetic variables) induced by 1 h of exposure to 1950 MHz Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA)-like EMW with specific absorption rates of either 2.0 or 6.0 W/kg, using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer system. We also measured the percentage of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) positive spermatozoa with flow cytometry to evaluate damage to DNA. No significant differences were observed between the EMW exposure and the sham exposure in sperm motility, kinetic variables, or 8-OHdG levels. We conclude that W-CDMA-like exposure for 1 h under temperature-controlled conditions has no detectable effect on normal human spermatozoa. Differences in exposure conditions, humidity, temperature control, baseline sperm characteristics, and age of donors may explain inconsistency of our results with several previous studies. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:373-381, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.