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Effects of prenatal exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on 60-day-old rat testis and epididymal sperm quality.

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Odacı E, Hancı H, Yuluğ E, Türedi S, Aliyazıcıoğlu Y, Kaya H, Çolakoğlu S · 2016

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Prenatal exposure to cell phone frequency EMF caused lasting sperm damage in male offspring, suggesting pregnancy EMF exposure affects future fertility.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

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

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

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.

Cite This Study
Odacı E, Hancı H, Yuluğ E, Türedi S, Aliyazıcıoğlu Y, Kaya H, Çolakoğlu S (2016). Effects of prenatal exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on 60-day-old rat testis and epididymal sperm quality. Biotech Histochem. 91(1):9-19, 2016.
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/},
}
PubMed: 26472053

Cited By (40 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2016 study found that pregnant rats exposed to 900 MHz radiation for one hour daily produced male offspring with significantly reduced sperm quality at 60 days old. The exposed animals showed lower sperm motility, vitality, and increased DNA damage in their testes.
Research demonstrates that prenatal exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields can cause lasting reproductive damage. Male rat offspring exposed during pregnancy showed altered testicular structure, increased cell death, and poor sperm quality even at 60 days of age.
Prenatal 900 MHz EMF exposure causes significant testicular changes including altered seminiferous tubule structure, increased apoptotic cell death, and immature germ cells in the tubule lumen. These structural changes correlate with reduced sperm quality in offspring.
One hour daily exposure to 900 MHz radiation during pregnancy increases DNA oxidation levels and causes DNA damage in male offspring's sperm. The study found higher apoptotic index and numerous apoptotic cells in the seminiferous tubule epithelium.
Yes, 900 MHz frequency radiation significantly reduces sperm motility and vitality. Male rats whose mothers were exposed during pregnancy showed markedly lower sperm movement and survival rates compared to unexposed controls at 60 days old.