![]() ![]() ![]() Major sources of this range are airport security scanners and anti-theft devices operated at the exits of shops. This frequency range falls between the low frequency (low frequency- 0.1 Hz–1 kHz) and the radio frequency (RF) (10 MHz–300 GHz). In the list of new technologies, intermediate frequency (IF) has been listed as newest source of exposure to electro-magnetic fields. Figure 1 shows the sources of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure affecting sperm parameters. The frequencies in the range of 100 kHz to 300 GHz refer to RF and represent only a part of the electro-magnetic spectrum. Since early 1962, many man-made devices are now in use and the most common source for microwaves are transmission lines (50–60 Hz), computer monitors (60–90 Hz), AM radio transmissions (530–1600 KHz), FM radio transmissions (88–108 MHz), television transmissions (50–700 MHz), hand phones (850 MHz-2.4 GHz), microwave ovens (2.45 GHz), laptops and Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz). Prausnitz and Susskind were the first who reported the effects of microwave radiation on the testicular organ in 1962. No harmful effects of microwaves were detected prior to this time and are also not in the list of a general environmental problems. The biological effects of microwave radiations effectively begin with the development of radar early during World War II. Radiation can be characterized into ionizing and non-ionizing radiations, of which the latter is differentiated in two forms: 1) extremely low frequency (ELF) or power line (60 Hz) electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and 2) radio frequency (RF) EMFs - which are produced by wireless radio waves/microwaves products. This has been concluded based on available evidences from in vitro and in vivo studies suggesting that RF-EMF exposure negatively affects sperm quality. The study concludes that the RF-EMF may induce oxidative stress with an increased level of reactive oxygen species, which may lead to infertility. ![]() ![]() This is followed with protective measures for these radiations and future recommendations. From currently available studies it is clear that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) have deleterious effects on sperm parameters (like sperm count, morphology, motility), affects the role of kinases in cellular metabolism and the endocrine system, and produces genotoxicity, genomic instability and oxidative stress. Since it is impossible to cover all types of radiation sources and their biological effects under a single title, this review is focusing on radiation deriving from cell phones, laptops, Wi-Fi and microwave ovens, as these are the most common sources of non-ionizing radiations, which may contribute to the cause of infertility by exploring the effect of exposure to radiofrequency radiations on the male fertility pattern. We are surrounded by several types of ionizing and non-ionizing radiations and both have recognized causative effects on spermatogenesis. Male infertility is likely to be affected by the intense exposure to heat and extreme exposure to pesticides, radiations, radioactivity and other hazardous substances. During recent years, an increasing percentage of male infertility has to be attributed to an array of environmental, health and lifestyle factors. ![]()
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