Impact of 900 MHz electromagnetic field exposure on main male reproductive hormone levels: a Rattus norvegicus model

Abstract

This work analyzes the effects of radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on the reproductive system of male rats, assessed by measuring circulating levels of FSH, LH, inhibin B, activin B, prolactin, and testosterone. Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (180 ± 10 g) were exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMF in four equal separated groups. The duration of exposure was 1, 2, and 4 h/day over a period of 30 days and sham-exposed animals were kept under the same environmental conditions as the exposed group except with no RF-EMF exposure. Before the exposure, at 15 and 30 days of exposure, determination of the abovementioned hormone levels was performed using ELISA. At the end of the experiment, FSH and LH values of the long time exposure (LTE) group were significantly higher than the sham-exposed group (p < 0.05). Serum activin B and prolactin in the LTE group showed significant increase and inhibin B showed significant decrease than sham and short time exposed (STE) groups after 30 days RF-EMF exposure (p < 0.05). Also, a significant decrease in serum testosterone levels in the LTE group was found compared to short and moderate time exposed (MTE) groups after 30 days RF-EMF exposure (p < 0.05). Results suggest that reproductive hormone levels are disturbed as a result of RF-EMF exposure and it may possibly affect reproductive functions. However, testosterone and inhibin B concentrations as a fertility marker and spermatogenesis were decreased significantly.

2.45 GHz microwave radiation induced oxidative and nitrosative stress mediated testicular apoptosis: Involvement of a p53 dependent bax‐caspase‐3 mediated pathway

“…Several studies have demonstrated the negative impact of MW radiation exposure on male reproductive health which may affect male fertility . Reports are there mentioning the ill effects of short duration exposure to MW radiation on gonadotropin levels (FSH and LH), testicular morphology, histopathology, serum/plasma testosterone levels, sperm counts, and sperm viability . Studies demonstrate that short term exposure to 2.45 GHz MW radiation may lead to testicular apoptosis.…”

1800 MHz mobile phone irradiation induced oxidative and nitrosative stress leads to p53 dependent Bax mediated testicular apoptosis in mice,Mus musculus

“…Another study demonstrate that rats exposed to two 3‐hr periods of daily cellular phone emissions for 18 weeks, exhibited a significantly higher incidence of sperm cell death along with abnormal clumping of sperm cells than control group rats (Yan et al, ). Long term exposure to 900 MHz RF‐EMF for a period of 30 days demonstrate a significant decreased in serum testosterone and inhibin B level and significant increase in FSH, LH Serum activin B, and prolactin level (Sepehrimanesh, Saeb, et al, ). Mobile phone radiation exposure also increased the number of non–progressive movement spermatozoa as well as DNA fragmentation in sperms (Gorpinchenko, Nikitin, Banyra, & Shulyak, ).…”

Effects of long-term exposure to radiofrequency radiations emitted by mobile Jammers on reproduction parameters in rats

“…Exposure to 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field decreased testosterone level of male SpragueDawley rat [28]. Long-term exposure to mobile phone radiation leads to reduce in serum testosterone levels.…”

“…Exposure to static magnetic field (128 mT; 1 h/d for 30 d) decreased rat testosterone levels [29]. Exposure to mobile phone radiation 60 min/d for 3 mo significantly decrease the serum testosterone level of Wistar rats [28]. Exposed to 10 GHz microwave radiation for 2 h/day for 45 d significantly decreases the testosterone level of seventy day-old rats [30].…”