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Melatonin attenuates radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz)-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in germ cells of male Swiss albino mice.

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Pandey N, Giri S. · 2018

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Cell phone-frequency radiation damaged sperm development and DNA in mice, but melatonin supplementation prevented these reproductive effects.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed male mice to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone signals) for 6 hours daily over 35 days and found significant damage to sperm-producing cells, including DNA damage, reduced sperm count, and abnormal sperm shape. However, when mice also received melatonin supplements, these harmful effects were largely prevented or reversed. This suggests that RF radiation can impair male fertility, but antioxidants like melatonin may offer protection.

Why This Matters

This study adds to mounting evidence that radiofrequency radiation at levels similar to cell phone emissions can damage male reproductive health. The 900 MHz frequency tested here is identical to GSM cell phone signals, making these findings directly relevant to everyday wireless device use. What makes this research particularly compelling is the protective effect of melatonin, which suggests the damage occurs through oxidative stress pathways that can potentially be mitigated. The science demonstrates that RF exposure doesn't just affect sperm count but disrupts the entire process of sperm development, causing DNA damage and cellular dysfunction. While this was an animal study, the biological mechanisms involved are shared across mammalian species, and the exposure duration mirrors chronic daily cell phone use patterns.

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: 3 h twice/day for 35 days

Study Details

The present study investigated the effect of RFR Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) type, 900 MHz and melatonin supplementation on germ cell development during spermatogenesis.

Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups. One group received RFR exposure for 3 h twice/day f...

Extensive DNA damage in germ cells of RFR-exposed animals along with arrest in pre-meiotic stages of...

It can be concluded that melatonin inhibits pre-meiotic spermatogenesis arrest in male germ cells through its anti-oxidative potential and ability to improve DNA reparative pathways, leading to normal sperm count and sperm morphology in RFR-exposed animals.

Cite This Study
Pandey N, Giri S. (2018). Melatonin attenuates radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz)-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in germ cells of male Swiss albino mice. Toxicol Ind Health. 34(5):315-327, 2018.
Show BibTeX
@article{n_2018_melatonin_attenuates_radiofrequency_radiation_1696,
  author = {Pandey N and Giri S.},
  title = {Melatonin attenuates radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz)-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in germ cells of male Swiss albino mice.},
  year = {2018},
  doi = {10.1177/0748233718758092},
  url = {https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0748233718758092},
}
DOI: 10.1177/0748233718758092

Cited By (51 papers)

View all 51 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, melatonin supplements protected male mice from 900 MHz radiation damage in a 2018 study. Mice receiving melatonin while exposed to cell phone frequency radiation maintained normal sperm count and shape, while unprotected mice suffered DNA damage and reduced fertility.
Daily 6-hour exposure to 900 MHz radiation for 35 days caused significant sperm damage in male mice. The study found DNA damage, reduced sperm count, and abnormal sperm shapes after this extended exposure period to cell phone frequency radiation.
Yes, 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation caused extensive DNA damage in sperm-producing cells of male mice. The study found significant genetic damage after 35 days of daily exposure, along with arrested sperm development and morphological abnormalities in testicular tissue.
Melatonin prevented radiofrequency radiation damage to sperm in male mice exposed to 900 MHz signals. The antioxidant supplement blocked DNA damage, maintained normal sperm count, and preserved healthy sperm shape despite daily radiation exposure for 35 days.
Yes, 900 MHz radiation arrested sperm production at pre-meiotic stages in male mice. The study found that 35 days of daily exposure disrupted normal spermatogenesis, leading to low sperm count and abnormal sperm head shapes in testicular tissue.