The outcome adds weight to concerns that the explosive spread of mobile telephones and other devices relying on WiFi connection may be contributing to declining fertility rates in developed countries.
The Japanese study, believed to be the first to trial a WiFi shield to help protect sperm from the effects of electromagnetic waves, will be reported at the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE 2019) Congress in Hong Kong this week.
Researcher Kumiko Nakata, Head of the Research Division, *Reproductive Medicine Research Centre, Yamashita Shonan Yume Clinic, said 51 male patients at the clinic participated in the study from August to November 2018.
Each of the men, whose average age was 38.4 years, were involved in IVF or artificial insemination procedures at the clinic.
Sperm samples were taken from the men and they were divided into three groups:
- a control group whose sperm samples were not exposed to EM waves from the WiFi router;
- a group whose sperm was protected by a small WiFi shield that intercepts electromagnetic waves (EM), and
- a group whose sperm was exposed to the EM waves.
Kumiko Nakata, whose research focus is on embryology and spermatology, said sperm samples from participants were placed near a pocket WiFi router similar to how a mobile phone would be carried in a man’s trousers.
Exposure to EM waves from the WiFi router occurred over periods of 30 minutes, 60 minutes, two hours and 24 hours, after which sperm motion was accurately tested using an advanced sperm motility analysis system.
Kumiko Nakata said: “After 30 minutes activation of EM waves, the motility rate of the control and shield group was 87 per cent, while that of the exposed group was 88 per cent.
“After 60 minutes, there was also little difference in the sperm motility rates across the three groups. However, after two hours activation of EM waves, the motility rate of the control group was 53.3 per cent, the shield group was 44.9 per cent, and the exposed group was much lower at 26.4 per cent.
“After 24 hours, the dead sperm rate of the control group was 8.4 per cent, the shield group was 18.2 per cent, and exposed group was 23.3 per cent, the latter being significantly higher.
“This indicates EM waves from a portable WiFi router decreases the motile rate and increases the death rate of human sperm.
“Recently, the decrease in fecundity in developed countries has been a matter of great concern. EM waves are said to be safe, but the shower of them caused by WiFi devices may be a contributing factor to the declining fertility trend.
“Our study has shown that over a relatively short time, a WiFi shield can offer some protection from the harmful effects of the EM waves. However, there is mounting evidence that the effects of EM waves on sperm may be having a significant effect on human reproduction.”
The ASPIRE Congress will also be addressed by other speakers raising concerns about declining male fertility over the past four decades.
The World Health Organisation predicts infertility among males and females will be the third most serious condition after cancer and cardiovascular diseases in the 21st century. In the Asia Pacific region of four billion people, representing about 60 per cent of the global population, the ramifications of this forecast are enormous.
The ASPIRE 2019 Congress will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 2 to 5.
* The research to be presented at the Congress by Kumiko Nakata is the result of collaboration between the Reproductive Medicine Research Centre at Yamashita Shonan Yume Clinic and the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Yamanashi.
INTERVIEW
To arrange an interview with Kumiko Nakata, please contact Trevor Gill, ASPIRE 2019 Congress Media Relations, by e-mail at lighthousepr@adelaide.on.net
MEDIA ATTENDANCE
Media representatives wishing to attend the Congress should contact Trevor Gill at lighthousepr@adelaide.on.net to arrange accreditation.
Telephone contact with Trevor Gill in the Media Room at the Congress venue will be advised.