Can extremely low frequency magnetic field affect human sperm parameters and male fertility?

Exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) may have different effects on spermatozoa depending on the waveform, magnetic flux density, frequency of ELF-MF, and duration of exposure. In this study, we investigated the possible role of ELF-MF (50 Hz; 1 mT) exposure in altering sperm parameters. In this study we found that exposure to ELF-MF at the frequency of 50 Hz (1 mT) for two hours induces statistically significant alterations in progressive motility, morphology and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of human sper-matozoa, suggesting a role of ELF-MF in altering reproductive function of spermatozoa. Our results represent an important discovery in the field since occupational exposure to the sine waveform 1 mT 50 Hz ELF-MF used in our study is possible in workplace. Moreover, these electromagnetic fields are product by many electronic de-vices and household appliances. Thus, alterations of progressive motility and morphology of spermatozoa would be important consequences of human exposures to ELF-MF.