Pandey N, Giri S. · 2018
Researchers exposed Swiss albino mice to RFR for 3 hours twice daily for 35 days and gave some mice melatonin at 5 mg/kg body weight per day. RFR-exposed mice showed extensive DNA damage, arrest in pre-meiotic spermatogenesis, low sperm count, and sperm head abnormalities. Biochemical assays revealed excess free radical generation and histological changes in testis and germ cells. Melatonin supplementation diminished or abolished these effects.
Li R et al. · 2018
Mouse spermatocyte-derived cells (GC-2) were exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at 4 W/kg for 24 hours. The exposure induced both autophagy and DNA damage in GC-2 cells through the generation of reactive oxygen species. When autophagy was blocked by knocking down AMPKα, DNA damage increased, while overexpressing AMPKα promoted autophagy and reduced DNA damage.
Houston BJ, Nixon B, King BV, Aitken RJ, De Iuliis GN. · 2018
Researchers exposed cultured mouse spermatogonial GC1 and spermatocyte GC2 cell lines, as well as cauda epididymal spermatozoa, to continuous wave RF-EMR at 1.8 GHz at 0.15 and 1.5 W/kg. A 4-hour exposure increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in GC1 cells (7 vs. 18%; p < 0.001) and GC2 cells (11.5 vs. 16%; p < 0.01), with Complex III of the electron transport chain identified as the potential source. Exposure at 0.15 W/kg for 3 hours induced significant DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa (p < 0.05), though this was no longer significant after 4 hours. After 4 hours of exposure, spermatozoa showed significant oxidative DNA damage in the form of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (p < 0.05) and a decline in sperm motility (p < 0.05).
Suzuki S et al. · 2017
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 3rd-generation (3G) cellular phone radiofrequency-electromagnetic wave (RF-EMW) exposure on fertilization and embryogenesis in mice. Oocytes and spermatozoa were exposed to 1.95 GHz RF-EMWs at 2 mW/g for 60 minutes or sham exposure. After RF-EMW exposure, in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection were performed. Groups compared were both exposed, both non-exposed, one exposed, and the other non-exposed. Fertilization, embryogenesis, and blastocyst formation rates did not change significantly across the four groups.
Shirai T et al. · 2017
Researchers exposed pregnant rats and their offspring to eight radiofrequency signals ranging from 800 MHz to 5.2 GHz. The exposure lasted 20 h per day from gestational day 7 through weaning and continued for offspring up to 6 weeks of age. No abnormal findings were observed in the dams, F1 offspring, or F2 offspring across all evaluated parameters. The study concluded that simultaneous whole-body exposure to these frequencies did not show adverse effects on pregnancy or development.
Schauer I, Mohamad Al-Ali B. · 2017
Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of 468 men attending an infertility clinic from 1993 to 2007. Varicoceles were determined by clinical examination and patients were questioned on cell phone usage and storage fashion. Varicocele showed an effect on sperm concentration, LH, and testosterone. Cell phone storage in trousers pockets showed an influence on the percentage of normal sperm morphology and LH. No combined effect of varicocele and cell phone storage was detected.
Sepehrimanesh M, Kazemipour N, Saeb M, Nazifi S, Davis DL · 2017
Researchers exposed 20 Sprague-Dawley rats to 900 MHz RF-EMF for 0, 1, 2, or 4 hours per day for 30 consecutive days. After 4 hours of daily exposure, ATP synthase beta subunit and hypoxia up-regulated protein 1 precursor were significantly up-regulated. The authors state that these protein increases are related to carcinogenic risk and reproductive damage.
Kamali K et al. · 2017
Researchers collected 40 semen samples from healthy men and divided them into exposed and unexposed groups. The exposed group was placed in an incubator with a 3G+Wi-Fi modem downloading data for 50 minutes, while the unexposed group was shielded with aluminum foil. Sperm motility class C was significantly lower in the exposed group, while class D was significantly higher. Several velocity parameters were significantly higher in the unexposed group. The authors concluded that electromagnetic waves from 3G+Wi-Fi modems significantly decrease sperm motility and velocity.
D'Silva MH, Swer RT, Anbalagan J, Rajesh B. · 2017
Fertilized chick embryos were incubated in four groups: 2G exposed (60 eggs), 3G exposed (60 eggs), sham exposed control (60 eggs), and control (48 eggs). After the scheduled exposure duration, embryos were collected for histological analysis of liver structure and alkaline comet assay for DNA damage. Exposure of developing chick embryos to 2G and 3G cell phone radiations caused structural changes in liver including dilated sinusoidal spaces with haemorrhage, increased vacuolations in cytoplasm, increased nuclear diameter and karyorrhexis. DNA damage was significantly increased in embryos exposed to 2G and 3G radiation. The changes were more pronounced in the 3G experimental group.
Shahin S, Singh SP, Chaturvedi CM. · 2017
Researchers investigated long-term effects of 1800 MHz mobile phone radiation in stand-by, dialing, and receiving modes on female reproductive function and stress responses in mice. Exposure significantly elevated ROS, NO, lipid peroxidation, total carbonyl content, and serum corticosterone while decreasing antioxidant enzymes in the hypothalamus, ovary, and uterus. Exposed mice showed reduced developing and mature follicles and corpus lutea, along with decreased pituitary gonadotrophins, sex steroids, and expression of steroidogenic and estrogen receptor genes.
Pandey N, Giri S, Das S, Upadhaya P. · 2017
Swiss albino mice were exposed to 900 MHz RFR for 4 hours and 8 hours per day for 35 days, with one group terminated after exposure and another kept for an additional 35 days post-exposure. RFR exposure caused mitochondrial membrane depolarization and redox imbalance, along with statistically significant increases in DNA damage index and sperm head defects. Flow cytometry showed a 2.5-fold increase in spermatogonia and decreased spermatids, with reduced turnover ratios indicating premeiotic arrest and low sperm count. Histological alterations included sloughing of immature germ cells, epithelium depletion, and maturation arrest, but all changes showed recovery to varied degrees after the post-exposure period.
Oyewopo AO, Olaniyi SK, Oyewopo CI, Jimoh AT. · 2017
Researchers randomly assigned adult male Wistar rats to a control group, a sham exposure group, and groups exposed to cell phone radiation for 1, 2, or 3 hours over a 28-day period. Histomorphometry showed no significant change in germinal epithelial diameter or cross-sectional diameter in any exposure group compared with controls. Group D showed a significantly smaller lumen diameter than Group B, and all exposure groups showed uneven germinal epithelial distribution with epithelial degeneration in Group D. Sera malondialdehyde increased and superoxide dismutase decreased in all exposure groups, while follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone decreased significantly in groups C and D.
Kuzay D, Ozer C, Sirav B, Canseven AG, Seyhan N · 2017
Wistar male rats were divided into 10 groups. Intraperitoneal single dose STZ (65 mg/kg) dissolved in citrate buffer (0.1M (pH 4.5)) was injected to diabetes groups. ELF MFs and RF radiation were used as an electromagnetic exposure for 20 min/day, 5 days/week for one month. ELF and RF radiation resulted in an increase in testicular tissue MDA and NOX levels (p < 0.05), and caused a decrease in GSH levels (p < 0.05) in both healthy and diabetic rats, yet more distinctively in diabetic rats.
Lewis RC et al. · 2016
Researchers explored the relationship between mobile phone use patterns and semen quality markers in a longitudinal cohort of 153 men at a Boston fertility clinic. Mobile phone use duration, headset use, and phone carrying location were assessed via nurse-administered questionnaire. A total of 350 semen samples were collected and analyzed onsite. Linear mixed models with random intercepts accounted for multiple semen samples per man. Overall, there was no evidence for a relationship between mobile phone use and semen quality.
Nakatani-Enomoto S et al. · 2016
Zhang G et al. · 2016
The study screened 794 young men in 2013 and followed 666 and 568 participants in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Univariate regression showed that daily talking duration on a cell phone was significantly associated with lower sperm concentration and total sperm count in 2013, and with lower semen volume and total sperm count in 2015. Internet use via cellular networks was associated with decreased sperm concentration and total sperm counts in 2013 and decreased semen volume in 2015, and these associations remained significant after multivariate adjustment for confounders.
Odacı E et al. · 2016
Pregnant rats were exposed to 900 MHz EMF for 1 hour each day during days 13 to 21 of pregnancy. At 60 days old, offspring showed higher apoptotic index, greater DNA oxidation levels, and lower sperm motility and vitality compared to controls. Histopathological examination revealed immature germ cells in seminiferous tubule lumen and altered seminiferous tubule epithelium and structure. TUNEL staining showed nuclear changes indicating apoptosis with large numbers of apoptotic cells in most seminiferous tubule epithelium.
Akdag MZ et al. · 2016
The study used 16 adult male Wistar-Albino rats, with 8 exposed to 2.4 GHz radiation for over a year and 8 sham-exposed. DNA damage in brain, liver, kidney, skin, and testicular tissues was measured using the comet assay as percentage tail DNA. Percentage tail DNA increased in brain, kidney, liver, and skin of exposed rats but the increases were not statistically significant. In contrast, DNA damage in testicular tissue increased significantly (p < 0.01). The authors concluded that long-term 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi exposure does not cause DNA damage in the examined organs except testes, which appear more sensitive.
Houston BJ, Nixon B, King BV, De Iuliis GN, Aitken RJ. · 2016
The review examined 27 studies on RF-EMR effects on the male reproductive system. Eleven of 15 studies on sperm motility reported significant declines, all seven studies measuring ROS found elevated levels, and four of five studies on DNA damage reported increased damage. RF-EMR reduced antioxidant levels in all six studies that assessed them, and antioxidant supplementation ameliorated effects in all three studies that tested it.
Uskalova DV, Igolkina YV, Sarapultseva EI. · 2016
Researchers analyzed morphofunctional disorders in Spirostomum ambiguum protozoa after 30-, 60-, and 360-min exposure to a 1 GHz electromagnetic field at an energy flow density of 50 μW/cm(2) using intravital computer morphometry. Significant disorders in morphometric values correlated with low mobility of the protozoa. The results suggested using intravital computer morphometry on protozoa for early diagnosis of radiation-induced effects of mobile communication electromagnetic fields, for example low mobility of spermatozoa.
Boga A, Emre M, Sertdemir Y, Uncu İ, Binokay S, Demirhan O. · 2016
Researchers exposed adult Xenopus laevis frogs to GSM-like radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation at 900 MHz for 8 hours a day over a 5-week period, then measured effects on the embryos produced from different combinations of exposed and unexposed parents. In the control group, 2.2% of embryos were abnormal and none were dead; when only males were exposed, embryo abnormality rose to 3.3% and dead embryos rose to 8.3%. When only females were exposed, abnormal and dead embryo rates each reached 11.7%; when both parents were exposed, dead embryos reached 15% and abnormal embryos reached 11.7%. Offspring of RF-exposed females also showed more aggressive behavior compared with the control group.
Zalata A et al. · 2015
In this prospective study, 124 semen samples were grouped into normozoospermia (N, n=26), asthenozoospermia (A, n=32), asthenoteratozoospermia (AT, n=31), and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT, n=35). Each sample was split into non-exposed and exposed portions, with the exposed portion receiving cell phone radiation for 1 hour. After exposure, sperm motility, acrosin activity, DNA fragmentation, and CLU gene expression were assessed. Exposure significantly decreased sperm motility, linear velocity, linearity index, and acrosin activity, and significantly increased DNA fragmentation, CLU gene expression, and CLU protein levels, with the largest changes in the OAT group.
Shokri S, Soltani A, Kazemi M, Sardari D, Mofrad FB. · 2015
Three-month-old male Wistar rats (n=27) were exposed to 2.45 GHz radiation in a chamber with two Wi-Fi antennas and divided into a control group and groups exposed for 1 hour or 7 hours per day for two months. Sperm parameters, caspase-3 concentrations, histomorphometric changes of testis, and apoptotic indexes were evaluated. Both exposure groups showed a decrease in sperm parameters in a time-dependent pattern, increased apoptosis-positive cells and caspase-3 activity in seminiferous tubules, and significantly reduced seminal vesicle weight compared to controls.
Sehitoglu I et al. · 2015
Pregnant rats were exposed to 900 MHz cell-phone radiation 24 hours a day for 20 days throughout pregnancy. Seven male offspring from each group were evaluated at 60 days, with testicular size, weight, histology, and serum testosterone measured. Exposed males had lower serum testosterone (3.51±0.21 ng/ml vs 4.04±0.47 ng/ml, p=0.018), higher caspase-3 activity (2.00±0.88 vs 1.00±0.63, p=0.026), and lower Johnsen scores (8.4±0.5 vs 9.4±0.5, p=0.010) than controls.
Mahmoudabadi FS, Ziaei S, Firoozabadi M, Kazemnejad A · 2015
Researchers conducted a case–control study enrolling 292 women with unexplained spontaneous abortion before 14 weeks gestation and 308 pregnant women beyond 14 weeks gestation. They collected data using two forms covering socioeconomic and obstetric characteristics, medical and reproductive history, lifestyles, and cell phone use during pregnancy. Mobile phone exposure was assessed by average daily calling time, phone location when not in use, hands-free use, other applications, manufacturer-reported SAR, and average effective SAR. All mobile phone related data differed between the groups except hands-free device use (p < 0.001).
