Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Wave Exposure from Cellular Phones on the Reproductive Pattern in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

The present study investigates the effect of free radical formation due to mobile phone exposure and effect on fertility pattern in 70-day-old male Wistar rats (sham exposed and exposed). Exposure took place in Plexiglas cages for 2 h a day for 35 days to mobile phone frequency. The specific absorption rate was estimated to be 0.9 W/kg. An analysis of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.001) and superoxide dismutase (P < 0.007) showed a decrease, while an increase in catalase (P < 0.005) was observed. Malondialdehyde (P < 0.003) showed an increase and histone kinase (P = 0.006) showed a significant decrease in the exposed group. Micronuclei also show a significant decrease (P < 0.002) in the exposed group. A significant change in sperm cell cycle of G(0)-G(1) (P = 0.042) and G(2)/M (P = 0.022) were recorded. Generation of free radicals was recorded to be significantly increased (P = 0.035). Our findings on antioxidant, malondialdehyde, histone kinase, micronuclei, and sperm cell cycle are clear indications of an infertility pattern, initiated due to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species. It is concluded that radiofrequency electromagnetic wave from commercially available cell phones might affect the fertilizing potential of spermatozoa.

The Effects of Melatonin on Oxidative Stress Parameters and DNA Fragmentation in Testicular Tissue of Rats Exposed to Microwave Radiation

“…However, MWs can cause disturbances of the sensitive equilibrium between prooxidant and anti-oxidant factors within cells and therefore cause oxidative stress-related cell injury and apoptosis [4,[8][9][10][11].…”

“…Lipid peroxidation and oxidative modification of protein molecules are the most important mechanisms of oxidative damage in tissues. Malondialdehyde (MDA) increases and changes in catalase activity in testes, kidneys and skin have previously been reported after exposure to MWs [4][5][6]. Xanthine oxidase (XO), an enzyme able to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), is reported to be elevated in the brain tissue after exposure to MWs [5,7].…”

The Main Approaches of Studying the Mechanisms of Action of Artificial Electromagnetic Fields on Cell

“…The investigation of EMF of mobile telephone on oxidation situation in rat sperm was done [61]. The frequency of the cell phone was 900 MHz, pulse GSM mode.…”

“…Authors conclude that overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under microwave field exposure. Authors propose hypothetical scheme of action of EMF on enzyme histone kinase activity, micronuclei, cell cycle, and antioxidant enzymes via increase of intracellular concentration of free radicals as a primary mechanism [61].…”

“…About the analogous oxidative damage induced by EMF in rats mitochondrial DNA it was mentioned above [60]. So, the oxidative stress produced by EMFs may be the cause different negative consequences of EMF -micronuclei formation [61,[73][74][75] and DNA strand breaks [76][77][78].…”