The international consensus of expert bodies and health authorities such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) is there is no substantiated scientific evidence that mobile phones affect fertility.

Potential human health impacts of radio frequency energy have been studied in great detail over the past 50 years. Comprehensive reviews of over 2500 research publications, including more than 600 studies specifically on mobile phones and base stations continue to find there is no substantial scientific evidence of health effects.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), leading experts and international health authorities have found no evidence that radiofrequency energy from mobile phones and their base stations causes any adverse health effects. The WHO’s advice states:

None of the recent reviews have concluded that exposure to the RF (radiofrequency) fields from mobile phones and their base stations cause any adverse health consequences

More recently, a comprehensive review prepared for the European Commission in November 2007 on electromagnetic fields and fertility found no evidence of adverse effects. The report concluded:

Overall, the literature indicates that exposure to low intensity fields, at levels experienced by members of the public, should not have a significant impact on fertility or on development either before or after birth.

Furthermore, an animal study published in Bioelectromagnetics in 2003 investigated the effects of radiofrequency energy emitted from mobile phones on rats’ fertility. Researchers placed mobile phones half a centimetre beneath the rats’ cages for 20 minutes a day, seven days a week, for one month. They concluded:

This study found no evidence suggesting an adverse effect of cell phone exposure on measures of testicular function or structure.

The National Radiological Protection Board in the UK published a review in 2003 on the influence radiofrequency (RF) energy has on reproduction. The review states:

Overall, there has been no convincing evidence that exposure to low level RF fields can affect reproduction and development in mammals; where consistent effects have been reported they can be attributed to the thermal insult induced by RF exposure.

In assessing fertility it is essential to note that sperm count varies widely over time and temporary low counts are common. Drugs such as alcohol and tobacco, stress and occupation can all affect sperm quality.

Finally, it is important to remember that no single study can answer any scientific question and all studies need to be seen in the light of the total research effort into mobile phone safety.