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Proteomic analysis of continuous 900-MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure in testicular tissue: a rat model of human cell phone exposure.

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Sepehrimanesh M, Kazemipour N, Saeb M, Nazifi S, Davis DL · 2017

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Rats exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMF for 4 hours daily over 30 days showed significant up-regulation of ATP synthase beta subunit and hypoxia up-regulated protein 1 precursor, proteins linked to carcinogenic risk and reproductive damage.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

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.

Why This Matters

Testicular proteins were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and identified by mass spectrometry. The up-regulated proteins are involved in testicular signaling pathways, spermatogenesis, and protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. The researchers note that men often carry phones near their gonads, where exposure may exceed tested guidelines, and call for further study.

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: 0, 1, 2, or 4 h/day for 30 consecutive days

Study Details

Although cell phones have been used worldwide, some adverse and toxic effects were reported for this communication technology apparatus. To analyze in vivo effects of exposure to radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on protein expression in rat testicular proteome, 20 Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMF for 0, 1, 2, or 4 h/day for 30 consecutive days.

Protein content of rat testes was separated by high-resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis using...

Two protein spots were found differentially overexpressed (P < 0.05) in intensity and volume with in...

Our results indicate that exposure to RF-EMF produces increases in testicular proteins in adults that are related to carcinogenic risk and reproductive damage. In light of the widespread practice of men carrying phones in their pockets near their gonads, where exposures can exceed as-tested guidelines, further study of these effects should be a high priority.

Cite This Study
Sepehrimanesh M, Kazemipour N, Saeb M, Nazifi S, Davis DL (2017). Proteomic analysis of continuous 900-MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure in testicular tissue: a rat model of human cell phone exposure. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 24(15):13666-13673, 2017.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2017_proteomic_analysis_of_continuous_2581,
  author = {Sepehrimanesh M and Kazemipour N and Saeb M and Nazifi S and Davis DL},
  title = {Proteomic analysis of continuous 900-MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure in testicular tissue: a rat model of human cell phone exposure.},
  year = {2017},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28397118/},
}
PubMed: 28397118

Cited By (35 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Rats were exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMF for 0, 1, 2, or 4 hours per day for 30 days.
ATP synthase beta subunit and hypoxia up-regulated protein 1 precursor were significantly up-regulated.
The authors state that the protein increases are related to carcinogenic risk and reproductive damage. They also note that men carrying phones near their gonads may exceed exposure guidelines.
Testicular proteins were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry.
Two protein spots were differentially overexpressed with P < 0.05 and induction factors 1.7 times greater after RF-EMF exposure.