With the development of Wi-Fi technology and widespread exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR), people are increasingly concerned about the health hazards caused by radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as from cellphones and Wi-Fi, particularly about the current decline in sperm concentration and increase in male infertility. Long-term exposure to EMR not only damages male reproductive organs, but also affects the number, morphology, motility and oocyte-binding ability of sperm, and indirectly increases the risk of infertility. However, EMR is not unavoidable. Low-intensity short-term or intermittent exposure to EMR has little adverse effect on reproductive organs and sperm. And many antioxidant and anti-free radical agents, such as vitamin E and melatonin, can protect some special populations from EMR. This review presents an overview of the impacts of EMR from cellphones and Wi-Fi on sperm, some countermeasures, and prospects of EMR protection.
Keywords: Wi-Fi; electromagnetic radiation; radiofrequency electromagnetic field; reproductive health; sperm; cellphone.