Factors affecting sperm motility. III. Influence of visible light and other electromagnetic radiations on human sperm velocity and survival.

Specimens of semen from fertile and infertile patients were exposed to different electromagnetic radiations, including visible light, ultraviolet (UV) light, x-rays, and high-frequency radio waves. Sperm motility was analyzed before, during, and after irradiation by the multiple exposure photography (MEP) method. No significant difference was found between controls and specimens exposed to various doses of visible and UV light and x-rays either immediately or several hours after exposure. In contrast to spermatozoa of other species that were reported to be adversely affected by visible and UV light and x-rays, human spermatozoa seem to be highly resistant to similar doses of these radiations. A deleterious influence was observed when high-frequency radio waves were applied to human spermatozoa. This may be attributed to an intracellular diathermic effect. The informative value of this study in relation to routine semen analyses and experimental studies in the physiology and comparative anatomy of spermatozoa is discussed.