Effects of prenatal exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on 60-day-old rat testis and epididymal sperm quality.
Odacı E, Hancı H, Yuluğ E, Türedi S, Aliyazıcıoğlu Y, Kaya H, Çolakoğlu S · 2016
View Original AbstractPrenatal exposure to cell phone frequency EMF caused lasting sperm damage in male offspring, suggesting pregnancy EMF exposure affects future fertility.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed pregnant rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used by many cell phones) for one hour daily during pregnancy, then examined the reproductive health of their male offspring at 60 days old. The exposed animals showed significantly reduced sperm quality, including lower sperm motility and vitality, along with increased DNA damage and cell death in their testes. This study suggests that EMF exposure during critical developmental periods may have lasting effects on male fertility.
Why This Matters
This research adds to growing evidence that EMF exposure during pregnancy can affect the developing reproductive system with consequences that persist into adulthood. What makes this study particularly concerning is that the exposure occurred only during a brief window of fetal development, yet produced measurable damage to sperm quality and testicular structure months later. The 900 MHz frequency used matches that of many cell phones, making these findings directly relevant to pregnant women who carry phones near their bodies. While the study doesn't specify exact power levels, the fact that just one hour of daily exposure during pregnancy caused lasting reproductive harm underscores how vulnerable developing tissues are to EMF radiation. The science demonstrates that the effects of prenatal EMF exposure can be both profound and permanent, affecting not just the exposed mother but her offspring's future fertility.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 900 MHz Duration: 1 h
Study Details
We investigated the effects of exposure in utero to a 900 megahertz (MHz) electromagnetic field (EMF) on 60-day-old rat testis and epididymis.
Pregnant rats were divided into control (CG; no treatment) and EMF (EMFG) groups. The EMFG was expos...
We found a higher apoptotic index, greater DNA oxidation levels and lower sperm motility and vitalit...
Sixty-day-old rat testes exposed to 900 MHz EMF exhibited altered sperm quality and biochemical characteristics.
Show BibTeX
@article{e_2016_effects_of_prenatal_exposure_2480,
author = {Odacı E and Hancı H and Yuluğ E and Türedi S and Aliyazıcıoğlu Y and Kaya H and Çolakoğlu S},
title = {Effects of prenatal exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on 60-day-old rat testis and epididymal sperm quality.},
year = {2016},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26472053/},
}