Exposure to non‐ionizing electromagnetic radiation of public risk prevention instruments threatens the quality of spermatozoids

Abstract

The use of artificial insemination in cattle breeding has evolved to global extent, and insemination doses are often shipped via air transport which requires strict radiation-based examinations. For the determination of effect of non-ionizing radiation (NIR), to which are beings frequently exposed due to protection of airport or cultural event security, freshly ejaculated and cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa were used as experimental model. Following radiation with hand-held metal detector in various exposition times (0, 10 s, 15, 30 and 60 min-groups FR, FR10, FR15, FR30 and FR60) the spermatozoa underwent motility and DNA fragmentation analyses. Study on cryoconserved semen treated with NIR was performed in time intervals 0, 10 s, 1 and 5 min (insemination doses radiated before cryoconservation-CB, CB10, CB1, CB5; samples radiated after freezing-CA, CA10, CA1 and CA5). Fresh semen and insemination doses radiated after cryoconservation showed significantly lower total and progressive motility. No effect on motility parameters was detected in semen extended with cryopreservative medium and radiated prior to freezing. Surprisingly, NIR showed a potential to stimulate spermatozoa velocity; however, the effect was modulated throughout the post-thawing incubation. Based on the DNA fragmentation assay, sperm DNA stayed intact. Present study underlines the potential harm of NIR, which is frequently used in everyday life, with overall adverse impact on human and animal reproduction. Current study also points out on interesting short-term spermatozoa stimulation induced by NIR.

A Review on the Impact of Oxidative Stress and Medicinal Plants on Leydig Cells

“…As a result, it compromises the function of the sleeping hormone (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine/melatonin) on the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse in the hypothalamus [ 129 ]. It is also hypothesized that heat waves activate oxidative stress production [ 173 , 174 ], which has been indicated to negatively affect the number of Leydig cells by inducing apoptosis [ 175 ].…”

Reprotoxic Impact of Environment, Diet, and Behavior

“…In the latter, increased ROS levels associated with decreased antioxidant capacity has been suggested to be responsible for DNA base adduct formation and DNA fragmentation [119][120][121][122][123]. Recent studies on animals and humans have demonstrated that radiations generate sperm tail microtubules disaggregation, mitochondria disruption, defected DNA, and impairment of gonadal tissues, such as Sertoli, Leydig, and germ cells, which, in turn, alter the androgen's production and related hormonal pathway [80,124]. The relationship between psychological stress and infertility is a matter of concern and debate since they appear to be reciprocally influenced.…”

Composition of Stallion Seminal Plasma and Its Impact on Oxidative Stress Markers and Spermatozoa Quality

“…Using the species-specific set-up, the basic and the most important parameters were selected-total motile spermatozoa (MOT; %), progressively motile spermatozoa (PRO; %), velocity curved line (VCL; µm/s), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH; µm), and beat cross frequency (BCF; Hz)-and were evaluated using the computer-assisted semen analyzer (CASA) Sperm Vision ® program (Minitube, Tiefenbach, Germany) equipped with a microscope (Olympus BX 51, Olympus Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) [37]. Within each of the CASA assessments, several different fields of view of Makler Counting Chamber were evaluated as described by Slanina et al [38] and Tirpak et al [39]. To distinguish the time of the analysis, every parameter is labeled with an underscore (_) and the time of the measurement (0-initial analysis; 1-analysis after an hour incubation at 6 • C) (e.g., MOT_0, MOT_1, etc.…”