Mobile Phones and The Crash of Sperm By Mrs Vera West
Dr Mercola, at a now deleted piece, discussed the problem of the crash of human sperm quality and quantity across the globe. Average sperm counts have decreased by 51.6 percent over the past five decades, with total sperm counts falling by 62.3 percent, and the downward trend continues, producing an existential threat if the trend continues. Much has been written about the effects of hormone disruptive chemicals in modern life, coming from a wide range of products, such as certain plastics, and even receipts from the supermarket!
But another factor that many have not considered is electromagnetic field (EMF) exposures from wireless technologies, electromagnetic radiation (EMR) or radiofrequency EMF (RF-EMF). And one of the main sources of this radiation comes from mobile phones. There is evidence that men using their mobile phones more than 20 times a day, had both lower total sperm counts, and lower sperm concentrations than men who used there phones only once a week or less. Few people having a mobile phone, with its convenience compared to a landline, would have such a low use. Wi-Fi laptop computers have been linked to decreased sperm motility and an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation. It is thought that as little as four hours use can set this process off.
Clearly, along with avoiding hormone altering chemicals as much as possible, young men need to regulate their use of mobile phones and Wi-Fi technologies. But what we are seeing are young men looking at their mobile phones for hours each day, and playing endless computer games on their lap tops. They need to gain more concern for their health, especially reproductive health.
“According to a scientific review1 published in November 2022, mean sperm counts in men around the world have dropped by 51.6% over the past 50 years. Total sperm counts (TSC) are down by 62.3%, and the decline is accelerating. Proposed culprits include pollution, alcohol and drug use, stress, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle and chemical exposures.
Another environmental factor that might play a bigger role than people would like to imagine is electromagnetic field (EMF) exposures from wireless technologies, also referred to as electromagnetic radiation (EMR) or radiofrequency EMF (RF-EMF).
EMFs are such an underappreciated health hazard, I spent several years researching and writing the book, "EMF*D," which may be one of the most comprehensive reviews of this pernicious environmental influence to date.
Cellphone Use Takes a Toll on Sperm
Several studies have found that EMFs have a deleterious effect on the reproductive systems of both men and women. Most recently, research2 published online November 1, 2023, found that men who used their cellphones more than 20 times a day had significantly lower sperm counts than those who only used them once a week or less.
Men who used their cellphones more than 20 times a day had a 30% increased risk of having sperm concentration below the reference value for fertile men, and a 21% increased risk for having TSC below the fertile range, compared to men who used their phones once a week or less.
As reported by the authors:3
"A total of 2,759 men answered the question concerning their mobile phone use, and 2,764 gave details on the position of their mobile phone when not in use. In the adjusted linear model, a higher frequency of mobile phone use (>20 times per day) was associated with a lower sperm concentration and a lower TSC [total sperm count].
In the adjusted logistic regression model, this translates to a 30% and 21% increased risk for sperm concentration and TSC to be below the World Health Organization reference values for fertile men, respectively ..."
Previous Studies Confirm EMF Hazards to Men
Previous studies have linked low-level electromagnetic radiation exposure from cellphones to an 8.1% reduction in sperm motility and a 9.1% reduction in sperm viability,4 as well as significantly higher rates of DNA fragmentation.5 Wi-Fi-equipped laptop computers have also been linked to decreased sperm motility and an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation after just four hours of use.6 A mini-review published in 2020 noted:7
"Presently, there is a rise in the use of mobile phones, laptops, and wireless internet technologies such as Wi-Fi and 5G routers/modems across the globe; these devices emit a considerable amount of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) which could interact with the male reproductive system either by thermal or nonthermal mechanisms.
The aim of this review was to examine the effects of mobile phone use on male fertility. Related studies that reported on the effects of EMR from mobile phones on male fertility from 2003 to 2020 were evaluated ...
Based on the outcomes of both human and animal studies analyzed in this review, animal and human spermatozoa exposed to EMR emitted by mobile phones had reduced motility, structural anomalies, and increased oxidative stress due to overproduction of reactive oxygen species.
Scrotal hyperthermia and increased oxidative stress might be the key mechanisms through which EMR affects male fertility. However, these negative effects appear to be associated with the duration of mobile phone use."
That mini-review also cites studies showing:8
- A significant association between exposure to EMR and higher rates of childlessness among military men working for the Royal Norwegian Navy.
- Cellphone EMR increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mitochondria of human spermatozoa and causes DNA damage.
- Long-term exposure to EMR, both high and low frequency, can affect male germ cell in humans
- Long-term exposure to mobile phone EMR may reduce serum testosterone levels.
- EMR alters normal reproductive processes in male rats; the same might occur in male humans exposed to RF-EMF over a long period of time.
Miscarriage Risk
Women also need to be mindful of their EMF/EMR exposure, especially during pregnancy, as studies have found prenatal exposure to power-frequency fields can nearly triple a pregnant woman’s risk of miscarriage.9 As noted by senior research scientist at Kaiser Permanente’s research division, Dr. De-Kun Li:10
"This study provides fresh evidence, directly from a human population, that magnetic field exposure in daily life could have adverse health impacts."
According to Li, there are also at least six other studies, in addition to two of his own, showing this link.11,12,13,14,15
EMFs Produce Potent Oxidant Stressors
Martin Pall, Ph.D., a professor emeritus of biochemistry at Washington State University and a specialist in chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity and the effects of low-intensity microwave frequency EMFs on the human body, has identified and published several papers16,17,18,19 describing the likely molecular mechanisms of how EMFs from cellphones and wireless technologies damage plants, animals and humans.
The process begins when low−frequency microwave radiation activates voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs)20 — channels in the outer membrane of your cells. Once activated, the VGCCs open up, allowing an abnormal influx of calcium ions into the cell.
This increased intracellular calcium and the accompanying increase in calcium signaling appears to be responsible for most of the damage that occurs.
The excess calcium activates nitric oxide that then reacts with superoxide to produce peroxynitrites — extremely potent oxidant stressors believed to be a root cause for many of today’s chronic diseases.21 Nitric oxide is the only molecule in your body produced at high enough concentrations to outcompete other molecules for superoxide and is a precursor for peroxynitrite.22
Inside your body, peroxynitrites modify tyrosine molecules in proteins to create a new substance, nitrotyrosine and nitration of structural protein.23 Changes from nitration are visible in human biopsy of atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia, inflammatory bowel disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and septic lung disease.24
Significant oxidative stress from peroxynitrites may also result in single-strand breaks of DNA.25 This pathway of oxidative destruction — triggered by low−frequency radiation emitted from mobile devices — may at least partially explain the unprecedented growth rate of chronic disease since 1990.26
Other mechanisms of effect have been complied and published in the European Journal of Oncology in collaboration with the International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety (ICEMS) and the Ramazzini Institute.27 Thousands of studies showing biological effects from low-intensity EMF were also summarized in the 2012 BioInitiative Report, demonstrating immune system effects, neurological effects, cognitive effects and much more.28
How EMFs Damage Sperm
As suggested by the studies cited above, EMR-induced oxidative stress may also be part of the explanation for the dramatic rise in infertility among men. Figure 2 in the mini-review29 quoted from earlier illustrates how EMR from wireless devices increases ROS in Leydig cells, thereby inhibiting testosterone production.
It also increases ROS in Sertoli cells and seminiferous tubules, both of which have crucial roles in the creation of healthy sperm.30 The seminiferous tubules are the site of germination and maturation of sperm cells in the male testes.
The tubules are made up of Sertoli cells, which help transform germ cells into spermatozoa, in part via direct contact, and in part by controlling the environment within the seminiferous tubules.
Spermatogenesis — the development of sperm from germ cells — is regulated by testosterone’s action on the Sertoli cells. This is why low testosterone alone can adversely impact a man’s fertility. So, in summary, EMR can impair male fertility through three primary mechanisms: By inhibiting production of testosterone, and by damaging the Sertoli cells and seminiferous tubules through oxidative stress. The end result is reduced sperm count, motility and viability.
EMFs Also Implicated in Brain and Heart Dysfunction
That male fertility would be imperiled by EMFs is also predicted by Pall’s theory. He proposed that the physical locations where VGCCs are the densest would be indicative of the diseases you might expect from chronic excessive exposure to EMFs.
As it turns out, the highest density of VGCCs are found in your nervous system, the pacemaker in your heart — and in male testes. As a result, EMFs are likely to contribute to neurological and neuropsychiatric problems, heart issues and male reproductive problems.
Indeed, studies dating back to the 1950s and ‘60s show the nervous system is the organ most sensitive to EMFs. Some of these studies show massive changes in the structure of neurons, including cell death and synaptic dysfunction.
When VGCCs are activated in the brain they release neurotransmitters and neuroendocrine hormones. In animals exposed to EMFs there are massive, cumulative effects in the brain. Genetic polymorphism studies also show that elevated VGCC activity in certain parts of the brain produces a variety of neuropsychiatric effects. Hence, Pall predicted that chronic EMF exposure could result in anxiety, depression, autism, and Alzheimer’s disease.31
Male Fertility in Jeopardy
Pall also warned that unchecked proliferation of wireless technologies poses a significant threat to fertility. In a 2017 commentary on the health and safety of Wi-Fi, Pall wrote:32
"The FCC guidelines as are many other such guidelines, are based on the assumption that only heating effects of microwave/lower frequency EMFs can have biological effects. However, that assumption has been falsified by thousands of studies published from the 1950’s to the present, each showing that non-thermal levels of exposure often produce biological effects.
For example, in 1971, the U.S. Office of Naval Medical Research produced a document reporting over 100 different non-thermal effects ... Changes affecting fertility including tubular degeneration in the testis, decreased spermatogenesis, altered sex ratio, altered menstrual activity, altered fetal development, programmed cell death (what is now known as apoptosis) and decreased lactation ...
Wi-Fi exposures produce impact on the testis leading to lowered male fertility ... We are, of course, seeing major lowering of sperm counts and sperm quality in many countries around the world; given the major impact of EMF exposures on sperm count and quality in human and in animal studies, the pattern of evidence is very worrying."
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