Radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz)-induced DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in testicular germ cells in swiss albino mice

Abstract

Even though there are contradictory reports regarding the cellular and molecular changes induced by mobile phone emitted radiofrequency radiation (RFR), the possibility of any biological effect cannot be ruled out. In view of a widespread and extensive use of mobile phones, this study evaluates alterations in male germ cell transformation kinetics following RFR exposure and after recovery. Swiss albino mice were exposed to RFR (900 MHz) for 4 h and 8 h duration per day for 35 days. One group of animals was terminated after the exposure period, while others were kept for an additional 35 days post-exposure. RFR exposure caused depolarization of mitochondrial membranes resulting in destabilized cellular redox homeostasis. Statistically significant increases in the damage index in germ cells and sperm head defects were noted in RFR-exposed animals. Flow cytometric estimation of germ cell subtypes in mice testis revealed 2.5-fold increases in spermatogonial populations with significant decreases in spermatids. Almost fourfold reduction in spermatogonia to spermatid turnover (1C:2C) and three times reduction in primary spermatocyte to spermatid turnover (1C:4C) was found indicating arrest in the premeiotic stage of spermatogenesis, which resulted in loss of post-meiotic germ cells apparent from testis histology and low sperm count in RFR-exposed animals. Histological alterations such as sloughing of immature germ cells into the seminiferous tubule lumen, epithelium depletion and maturation arrest were also observed. However, all these changes showed recovery to varied degrees following the post-exposure period indicating that the adverse effects of RFR on mice germ cells are detrimental but reversible. To conclude, RFR exposure-induced oxidative stress causes DNA damage in germ cells, which alters cell cycle progression leading to low sperm count in mice.

Effect of mobile phone electromagnetic waves on rat testis and the possible ameliorating role of Naringenin : A histological study

“…Moreover, appearance of multinucleated giant cells in the lumen of STs of this group suggested opening up of the cytoplasmic bridges between progeny of each cell division and fusion of their cellular contents [44] . These giant cells have been reported repeatedly in previous studies following RF -EMWs exposure [35,43] and were assumed to be due to excessive apoptosis induced by OS via mitochondrial dysfunction [51] . During spermatogenesis, apoptosis in testicular germ cells is considered as a physiologic mechanism to limit the germ cell population to numbers that the Sertoli cells can support [52] .…”

“…Exposure to EMF has adverse effects on the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonia, which may be important in understanding the pathogenesis of EMFinduced male infertility [42,43] . Therefore, we used PCNA as a tool to assess spermatogenesis.…”

Radiations and male fertility

“…Similarly, in humans, Agarwal et al reported that the continuous use of mobile phones is associated with decreased motility, sperm concentration, morphology and viability [ 20 ]. The most significant studies on the effect of RF-EMF emitted from different sources (cell phones, microwave ovens, laptops, and Wi-Fi devices) on animal and human fertility pattern are summarized in Table 1 [ 21 – 37 ].…”

“…Significant increase in DNA damage of both 4 & 8 h exposure. Pandey et al 2017 [ 21 ]. Sprague Dawley male rats, n = 8 900 MHz mobile phone frequency; 1 h/ day for 30 days; SAR 0.025 W/kg Significant increase in apoptosis and changes in the levels of SOD, GPx, CAT, LPO.…”

Single-strand DNA breaks and oxidative changes in rat testes exposed to radiofrequency radiation emitted from cellular phones

“…It was estimated in 2014 that there were 6.9 billion cellular phone memberships globally which continues to increase with the development of new generation mobile communication systems such as 4 G-5G. Given the large number of cellular phone users, it is important to examine, understand and monitor the possible impacts of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) on public health [1]. Cellular phones with a communication basis emit radiofrequency and electromagnetic waves (EMW) in the 800 and 2200 MHz frequency range [2].…”