Abstract
Artificially generated radiofrequency-electromagnetic energy (RF-EME) is now ubiquitous in our environment owing to the utilization of mobile phone and Wi-Fi based communication devices. While several studies have revealed that RF-EME is capable of eliciting biological stress, particularly in the context of the male reproductive system, the mechanistic basis of this biophysical interaction remains largely unresolved. To extend these studies, here we exposed unrestrained male mice to RF-EME generated via a dedicated waveguide (905 MHz, 2.2 W/kg) for 12 h per day for a period of 1, 3 or 5 weeks. The testes of exposed mice exhibited no evidence of gross histological change or elevated stress, irrespective of the RF-EME exposure regimen. By contrast, 5 weeks of RF-EME exposure adversely impacted the vitality and motility profiles of mature epididymal spermatozoa. These spermatozoa also experienced increased mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species after 1 week of exposure, with elevated DNA oxidation and fragmentation across all exposure periods. Notwithstanding these lesions, RF-EME exposure did not impair the fertilization competence of spermatozoa nor their ability to support early embryonic development. This study supports the utility of male germ cells as sensitive tools with which to assess the biological impacts of whole-body RF-EME exposure.
Highlights
Generated radiofrequency-electromagnetic energy (RF-EME) is ubiquitous in our environment owing to the utilization of mobile phone and Wi-Fi based communication devices
Guided by our previous studies in which we have shown that in vitro RF-EME exposure can induce a state of oxidative stress, leading to DNA damage in some male germ cell types[7,12], we explored the levels of DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation present within the testes of RF-EME exposed animals
To determine whether the functional lesions in motility and vitality documented in the spermatozoa of RF-EME exposed mice were linked to the induction of oxidative stress, we investigated the levels of cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation (ROS) present in these cells (Fig. 6)
Summary
Generated radiofrequency-electromagnetic energy (RF-EME) is ubiquitous in our environment owing to the utilization of mobile phone and Wi-Fi based communication devices. The resultant formation of superoxide anion serves as a progenitor for additional reactive oxygen species generation (ROS), eventually creating a ROS imbalance and a state of oxidative stress[1,12] The potential for this mechanism of biophysical interaction provides the impetus for well-designed studies to ascertain the effect of RF-EME following whole-body irradiation regimens that more accurately mimic human exposure. In this context, a focus on the male reproductive system is justified owing to the common practice of storing mobile phone devices in the pant pocket, placing them in close proximity to the reproductive tract. Mice were exposed to RF-EME for 12 h per day, over a period of between 1 to 5 weeks and subsequently the testes and epididymides were collected to investigate the effects of RF-EME on spermatogenesis and sperm function
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