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Probing the Origins of 1,800 MHz Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation Induced Damage in Mouse Immortalized Germ Cells and Spermatozoa in vitro.

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Houston BJ, Nixon B, King BV, Aitken RJ, De Iuliis GN. · 2018

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Exposure to 1,800 MHz RF-EMR increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in mouse GC1 and GC2 germ cells and caused oxidative DNA damage and reduced motility in spermatozoa.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

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).

Why This Matters

Although elevated ROS levels were detected in GC1 and GC2 cells, assessing ROS in the presence of an antioxidant, penicillamine, as well as measuring lipid peroxidation via 4-hydroxynonenal levels, indicated that the elevated incidence of ROS generation did not necessarily induce an overt cellular oxidative stress response. DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa was significant after 3 hours of exposure but was no longer significant at 4 hours, while oxidative DNA damage and reduced motility were significant at the 4-hour time point. The researchers proposed Complex III of the mitochondrial electron transport chain as the key target of RF-EMR in these biological systems.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.15, 1.5 W/kg
Source/Device
1800 MHz
Exposure Duration
3 h, 4 h

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.15, 1.5 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 11 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study is to observe Probing the Origins of 1,800 MHz Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation Induced Damage in Mouse Immortalized Germ Cells and Spermatozoa in vitro

we exposed cultured mouse spermatogonial GC1 and spermatocyte GC2 cell lines, as well as cauda epidi...

This study demonstrated that a 4 h exposure is capable of inducing the generation of mitochondrial r...

This study contributes new evidence toward elucidating a mechanism to account for the effects of RF-EMR on biological systems, proposing Complex III of the mitochondrial ETC as the key target of this radiation.

Cite This Study
Houston BJ, Nixon B, King BV, Aitken RJ, De Iuliis GN. (2018). Probing the Origins of 1,800 MHz Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation Induced Damage in Mouse Immortalized Germ Cells and Spermatozoa in vitro. Front Public Health. 6:270, 2018.
Show BibTeX
@article{bj_2018_probing_the_origins_of_534,
  author = {Houston BJ and Nixon B and King BV and Aitken RJ and De Iuliis GN.},
  title = {Probing the Origins of 1,800 MHz Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation Induced Damage in Mouse Immortalized Germ Cells and Spermatozoa in vitro.},
  year = {2018},
  doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2018.00270},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00270/full},
}
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00270

Cited By (46 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

The study used cultured mouse spermatogonial GC1 and spermatocyte GC2 cell lines, as well as cauda epididymal spermatozoa.
A decline in sperm motility (p < 0.05) was observed after spermatozoa were exposed to RF-EMR for 4 hours.
Exposure at 0.15 W/kg for 3 hours induced significant DNA fragmentation (p < 0.05), and after 4 hours, significant oxidative DNA damage in the form of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine was found (p < 0.05).
The elevated incidence of ROS generation observed under the exposure conditions did not necessarily induce an overt cellular oxidative stress response.
Researchers identified Complex III of the electron transport chain as the potential source of electrons producing ROS.