# RF-017 — Phone exposure and human semen in vitro

Why this matters
This pilot study may help compare how sperm samples behave near an active phone. The original methods still need retrieval, so its reported changes remain a lead, not verified evidence in this package. A device's exposure rating does not establish the dose received by a semen sample.

Id: RF-017

Author: Agarwal et al.

Full Authors: Ashok Agarwal; Nisarg R. Desai; Kartikeya Makker; Alex Varghese; Rand Mouradi; Edmund Sabanegh; Rakesh Sharma

Year: 2009

Title: Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) from cellular phones on human ejaculated semen: an in vitro pilot study

Journal: fertility and sterility

Citation: Agarwal A, Desai NR, Makker K, Varghese A, Mouradi R, Sabanegh E, Sharma R. Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) from cellular phones on human ejaculated semen: an in vitro pilot study. Fertility and Sterility. 2009;92(4):1318-1325. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.08.022.

Doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.08.022

Pmid: 18804757

Topic: Reproduction

Verification Group: Retrieval lead

Record Role: Retrieval lead

Featured: False

Exposure: 850 MHz talk-mode phone for one hour; reported device SAR 1.46 W/kg.

Design: Paired semen aliquots.

Finding: Discovery dossier reports lower motility/viability and higher ROS in exposed aliquots.

Boundary: Device rating is not established sample SAR. Do not label this below FCC limits from that number.

Protection Question: Could the reported semen changes persist under verified sample exposure and temperature conditions? Original methods remain to be checked; a handset rating does not establish the absorbed dose in semen.

Access: Record verified; full text still required

Notice: Primary PubMed linked-notice record checked 20 Oct 2026; no correction, concern or retraction linked at check. This is not an exhaustive publisher-history certification.

Funding: Not established from retrieved material.

Conflicts: Not established from retrieved material.

Source Url: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.08.022

Retrieval Links: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.08.022 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18804757/

Verification Date: 2026-10-20