Effect of Cell Phone-Emitted Electromagnetic Waves on Levels of Male Sex Hormones and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Humans

Abstract

Cell phones emit Electromagnetic Waves (EMWs) that may have adverse effects on human health. The study aimed to investigate some possible health impacts associated with cell phone-derived EMWs on male sex hormones and oxidative stress biomarkers. One-hundred recruited male volunteers were classified into two equal groups; group 1 who used mobile phones less than one hour per day for less than five years and group 2 who used mobile phones more than one hour per day for more than five years which then subdivided into 3 groups according to the duration of usage in daily hours and annual usage. Sex hormones (testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone) as well as oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase) were investigated. In comparison to group 1, group 2 showed a significant decrement in the blood levels of both testosterone and superoxide dismutase, which is accompanied by an increment in levels of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones as well as malondialdehyde. Moreover, among group 2 subjects that used mobile for ˃3 h/day for ˃15 years showed highly significant differences than those who used mobile for shorter periods, meaning that duration of exposure to mobile has serious clinical significance. Findings from our study confirmed that long-term use of cell phones can cause alteration in male sex hormones as well as a redox imbalance characterized by increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant biomarkers.