Prolonged 3.5 GHz and 24 GHz RF-EMF Exposure Alters Testicular Immune Balance, Apoptotic Gene Expression, and Sperm Function in Rats
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Syed Taha SMA, Jaffar FHF, Hairulazam A, Vijay S, Jamaludin N, Zulkifli AF, Mat Ros MF, Osman K, Zakaria Z, Mohd Bahar MAA, et al. ·2025
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5G frequencies damaged rat sperm and testicular immune function, with millimeter-wave 24 GHz causing more severe fertility effects than 3.5 GHz.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
Researchers exposed male rats to 5G frequencies (3.5 GHz and 24 GHz) for 60 days and found significant damage to sperm quality and testicular function. Both frequencies reduced sperm motility and concentration, with 24 GHz causing more severe effects including immune system disruption. The damage worsened with longer daily exposure times.
Why This Matters
This study provides crucial evidence that 5G frequencies can impair male fertility through multiple biological pathways. The research is particularly significant because it tested the actual frequencies being deployed in 5G networks worldwide - 3.5 GHz mid-band and 24 GHz millimeter wave. What's concerning is that these effects occurred at exposure levels and durations that mirror real-world usage patterns. The fact that 24 GHz caused more severe damage to sperm concentration and immune function aligns with the physics - higher frequencies have less penetration but can cause more localized tissue heating and cellular stress. The dose-response relationship (worse effects with 7-hour versus 1-hour daily exposure) suggests cumulative damage that could affect men who carry phones in their pockets or work near 5G infrastructure.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Cite This Study
Syed Taha SMA, Jaffar FHF, Hairulazam A, Vijay S, Jamaludin N, Zulkifli AF, Mat Ros MF, Osman K, Zakaria Z, Mohd Bahar MAA, et al. (2025). Prolonged 3.5 GHz and 24 GHz RF-EMF Exposure Alters Testicular Immune Balance, Apoptotic Gene Expression, and Sperm Function in Rats.
Show BibTeX
@article{prolonged_35_ghz_and_24_ghz_rf_emf_exposure_alters_testicular_immune_balance_apoptotic_gene_expression_and_sperm_function_in_rats_ce3876,
author = {Syed Taha SMA and Jaffar FHF and Hairulazam A and Vijay S and Jamaludin N and Zulkifli AF and Mat Ros MF and Osman K and Zakaria Z and Mohd Bahar MAA and et al.},
title = {Prolonged 3.5 GHz and 24 GHz RF-EMF Exposure Alters Testicular Immune Balance, Apoptotic Gene Expression, and Sperm Function in Rats},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.3390/biomedicines13102471},
}
Yes, 24 GHz millimeter-wave exposure caused more severe effects, reducing sperm concentration and viability while disrupting testicular immune function. The 3.5 GHz mid-band frequency primarily affected sperm motility through different cellular pathways.
Significant sperm damage occurred after 60 days of daily exposure to both 5G frequencies. Effects were worse with 7-hour daily exposure compared to 1-hour, indicating cumulative damage over time.
24 GHz exposure significantly reduced IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, at both 1-hour and 7-hour exposure durations. TNF-α levels also decreased with longer 7-hour exposures, indicating disrupted testicular immune balance.
Yes, 3.5 GHz exposure increased Casp3 expression (promoting cell death) while decreasing Tp53 (a protective gene) after 1-hour daily exposures, suggesting activation of cellular suicide pathways in testicular tissue.
Yes, 7-hour daily exposures caused more severe effects than 1-hour exposures across multiple measures. Sperm concentration and viability were only significantly reduced with the longer 24 GHz exposures, demonstrating clear dose-response relationships.
