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Reproductive Health

Yilmaz H, Tümkaya L, Mercantepe T, Yılmaz A, Gül F, Suzan ZT

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Authors not listed · 2025

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5G radiation at 5.9 GHz caused testicular damage in rats after just 2 hours daily exposure for one month.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to 5.9 GHz 5G radiation for 2 hours daily for 30 days and found significant damage to testicular tissue, including loss of sperm cells and increased cellular stress markers. When rats were also given coenzyme Q10 supplements, the testicular damage was largely prevented. This suggests 5G frequencies may harm male reproductive health through oxidative stress.

Why This Matters

This study adds to mounting evidence that 5G frequencies can damage reproductive tissue through oxidative stress mechanisms. The 5.9 GHz frequency tested falls squarely within the 5G FR1 band (3.3-4.2 GHz and 4.4-5.0 GHz ranges) that millions are exposed to daily through their smartphones and cellular infrastructure. What makes this particularly concerning is the relatively short 2-hour daily exposure that caused measurable testicular damage in just 30 days. The researchers found clear markers of endoplasmic reticulum stress, a cellular damage pathway linked to infertility and reproductive disorders. While the protective effect of CoQ10 is encouraging from a research perspective, it shouldn't distract from the core finding that everyday 5G exposures may be harming male fertility at the cellular level.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 5.9 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 5.9 GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2025). Yilmaz H, Tümkaya L, Mercantepe T, Yılmaz A, Gül F, Suzan ZT.
Show BibTeX
@article{yilmaz_h_tmkaya_l_mercantepe_t_ylmaz_a_gl_f_suzan_zt_ce3916,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Yilmaz H, Tümkaya L, Mercantepe T, Yılmaz A, Gül F, Suzan ZT},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.1016/j.arcmed.2024.103157},
  
}
DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2024.103157PubMed: 39765017

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, this study found that 30 days of 5.9 GHz exposure for 2 hours daily caused significant testicular damage in rats, including loss of sperm cells, inflammation, and cellular stress markers indicating reproductive harm.
In this rat study, daily CoQ10 supplements (10 mg/kg) largely prevented the testicular damage caused by 5.9 GHz radiation exposure, suggesting antioxidant protection against 5G-induced oxidative stress in reproductive tissue.
The researchers observed testicular damage and loss of sperm cells after just 30 days of 2-hour daily exposure to 5.9 GHz 5G radiation, indicating relatively rapid reproductive effects from this frequency.
The study found endoplasmic reticulum stress markers (GRP-78 and CHOP proteins), increased oxidative damage (TBARS), decreased antioxidants (total thiols), inflammation, and loss of spermatogenic cells in testicular tissue after 5G exposure.
Yes, 5.9 GHz falls within the 5G FR1 frequency bands deployed globally for smartphone and cellular infrastructure, making this study directly relevant to real-world 5G exposure scenarios affecting millions daily.