Celullar telephone has become an important part in the modern world for adults, teenagers, or even children. But overuse of cellular phones causes electromagnetic pollution for human health.
“Exposures of electromagnetic wave radiation of cellular radiofrequency proved to be able to reduce the quality and function of human spermatozoid in vitro,” said dr. Isna Qadrijati, M.Kes., when sitting for her open doctoral promotion at Faculty of Medicine UGM on Thursday (12/5).
Isna conducted a research using spermatozoid from male ejaculation that is considered as healthy. The sperm is exposed to cellular radiation acutely and chronically with the level of electromagnetic radiation exposure in the body as high as (SAR) 2W/kg and 5.7 W/kg for 1 hour and 2 hours. It showed that the longer and the bigger radition, the lower the quality and function of spermatozoa in vitro as compared to the untreated sperm.
“Sperm quality includes concentrate, motility, decreasing morphology. Sperm function also decreases whether apoptosis or the count of intracellular calcium,” said the lecturer from Universitas Sebelas Maret.
Isna added the radiation exposure will also affect Voltage-gated ca2+ channels (VGCC) expression to the sperm. The exposure inhibits VGCC expression in the sperm in the form of closing of calcium canal.
“The smaller VGSS expression the smaller calcium canals that are open so the quality and function of sperm are getting lower,” she explained.
In order to minimise the risk of fertility reduction in men, Isna called for people not to use cellular phones excessively. Cellular phones industry is also expected to produce phones that have low SAR.
“Government, especially Health Department, is expected to issue regulations that can reduce the risk of using cellular phones,” she said.