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Biochemical and histopathological effects on the rat testis after exposure to electromagnetic field during fetal period.

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Sehitoglu I, Tumkaya L, Kalkan Y, Bedir R, Cure MC, Zorba OU, Cure E, Yuce S · 2015

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Cell phone radiation during pregnancy reduced testosterone by 13% in male offspring, suggesting prenatal EMF exposure may harm reproductive development.

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Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 24 hours daily during pregnancy, then examined the reproductive health of their male offspring at 60 days old. The exposed rats had 13% lower testosterone levels, smaller testes, and increased cell death markers compared to unexposed controls. This suggests that cell phone radiation exposure during pregnancy may harm the developing reproductive system of male offspring.

Why This Matters

This study adds to growing evidence that EMF exposure during critical developmental windows can have lasting reproductive consequences. The researchers used 900 MHz radiation, the same frequency used by many cell phones, applied continuously throughout pregnancy. What makes this particularly concerning is that the effects weren't seen immediately but manifested weeks later in the offspring, suggesting that prenatal EMF exposure may program long-term reproductive dysfunction. The 13% reduction in testosterone levels is significant, as even modest hormonal changes can affect fertility, sexual development, and overall health. This research reinforces the importance of pregnant women minimizing their EMF exposure, particularly from devices held close to the body like cell phones.

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: 24 hours a day for 20 days

Study Details

Electromagnetic radiation (ER) emitted from cell phones may exert a detrimental influence on human health and may affect the man reproductive system. We aimed to study the biological and morphological effects on the testes of 60-day-old male rats after ER exposure (900 MHz), which was applied continuously throughout embryogenesis.

A total of six pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were included in the study. Three pregnant rats (experim...

While serum T level (3.51±0.21 ng/ml) of ER Exposed group was significantly lower than the control g...

Our study demonstrated that ER exposure throughout embryogenesis may cause reductions in serum total T levels and in the size and weight of the testes of male rats, while causing modest increase in apoptosis.

Cite This Study
Sehitoglu I, Tumkaya L, Kalkan Y, Bedir R, Cure MC, Zorba OU, Cure E, Yuce S (2015). Biochemical and histopathological effects on the rat testis after exposure to electromagnetic field during fetal period. Arch Esp Urol. 68(6):562-568, 2015.
Show BibTeX
@article{i_2015_biochemical_and_histopathological_effects_2578,
  author = {Sehitoglu I and Tumkaya L and Kalkan Y and Bedir R and Cure MC and Zorba OU and Cure E and Yuce S},
  title = {Biochemical and histopathological effects on the rat testis after exposure to electromagnetic field during fetal period.},
  year = {2015},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26179793/},
}
PubMed: 26179793

Cited By (16 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2015 study found that pregnant rats exposed to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 24 hours daily produced male offspring with 13% lower testosterone levels (3.51 vs 4.04 ng/ml) compared to unexposed controls when tested at 60 days old.
Research shows prenatal 900 MHz radiation exposure can cause testicular damage in male offspring. Exposed rats had smaller testes, lower Johnsen scores (8.4 vs 9.4), and increased cell death markers compared to controls, suggesting impaired reproductive development.
Continuous 24-hour daily exposure to 900 MHz cell phone radiation during pregnancy caused significant reproductive harm in male offspring, including 13% lower testosterone, smaller testes, and increased testicular cell death when examined at sexual maturity.
Yes, electromagnetic radiation exposure throughout embryogenesis significantly impacts male reproductive development. A study found that 900 MHz radiation during pregnancy reduced testis size and weight while increasing apoptosis (programmed cell death) in the reproductive organs of male offspring.
Research demonstrates that EMF exposure during the fetal period doubles caspase-3 enzyme activity in testes (2.00 vs 1.00), indicating increased cell death. This suggests that prenatal electromagnetic radiation exposure triggers apoptosis in developing male reproductive tissue.