(304) Effects of Wireless Radiation Exposure on Genetic Variants in Human Sperm: A Preliminary Prospective Study
Authors: Bidhan J , Campbell K , Griswold A , Khodamoradi K , Ramasamy R 
Published: February 2024

Introduction

In the present era, the extensive use of modern cell phones has raised the health risks associated with the radiofrequency-electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) they emit, which the human body can absorb. RF-EMR exposure can potentially harm the process of spermatogenesis by increasing oxidative stress, elevating mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), and triggering the formation of free radicals that leads to sperm DNA damage. Our previous research revealed decreased sperm motility and viability in semen samples exposed to RF-EMR through WiFi calling.

Objective

To investigate the effects of WiFi radiation on genetic variants in human sperm using current-generation smartphones.

Methods

Six healthy, normozoospermic men aged 25-35 provided semen samples for this study. A current generation smartphone was used in WiFi calling mode, specifically through Whatsapp voice call, to serve as the source of RF-EMR. The call duration was six hours. Semen samples were analyzed based on the 2010 WHO guidelines before and after the radiation exposure. The genomics facility at our university extracted DNA from semen samples of each participant before and after RF-EMR exposure to perform whole exome sequencing with alignment to the reference genome. After sequencing, we compared genetic variants for each participant before and after RF-EMR exposure.

Results

After six hours of exposure, a significant decrease in sperm progressive motility was observed (p&lt;0.05). Following exposure, the median number of exonic, nonsynonymous variants absent before exposure increased to 4 (IQR 3). Across the four successfully sequenced samples, we found 20 new, exonic, nonsynonymous variants after RF-EMR exposure. Significantly, male reproductive tissues expressed 12 variants, five associated with ciliary function and two related to mitochondrial function (see Table 1). Gene Chromosome Variant Location Function SPDYE11 Chr7 A &gt; C Spermatids • Acetylcholine receptor activity • Cell cycle regulation SPDYE17 Chr7 A &gt; C Spermatids • Protein kinase activity • Cell cycle regulation PRB2 Chr12 T &gt; G salivary gland • Cell cycle regulation GGT2 Chr22 G &gt; A Spermatids • Cell cycle regulation RGPD3 Chr2 C &gt; T Spermatids • Ciliary function EPPK1 Chr8 G &gt; A Spermatids, spermatocytes • Epithelial structure GOLGA6L4 Chr15 G &gt; A Spermatids, spermatocytes • Ciliary function TCP11X2 ChrX T &gt; C Spermatids • Acrosome reaction • Cilia function • Spermatid development HRNR Chr1 A &gt; G Mitochondria • Metal ion binding POUF1 Chr13 &gt; GCC Mitochondria • Structure & function of spermatozoa NPIPB13 Chr16 T &gt; A Spermatids • Ciliary function • Sperm motility NBPF11 Chr1 A &gt; C Spermatids, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells • Cell cycle regulation • Microtubule development ANKRD20A1 Chr9 T &gt; A Spermatocytes • Ciliary function Table 1. Candidate genes with variants after six hours of phone radiation exposure

Conclusions

Based on our pilot study, we observed a decrease in sperm progressive motility and an increase in potentially related genetic variants associated with sperm motility following six hours of exposure to RF-EMR. These preliminary results highlight the need for further research to investigate the effects of RF-EMR exposure on semen parameters and to determine the clinical significance of these genetic variants.

Disclosure

No.