Effects of 220 MHz Pulsed Modulated Radiofrequency Field on the Sperm Quality in Rats

Ling Guo, Jia-Jin Lin, Yi-Zhe Xue, Guang-Zhou An, Jun-Ping Zhang, Ke-Ying Zhang, Wei He, Huan Wang, Wei Li and Gui-Rong Ding
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Ling Guo: Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169# Chang Le West Road, Xi’an 710032, China
Jia-Jin Lin: Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169# Chang Le West Road, Xi’an 710032, China
Yi-Zhe Xue: Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169# Chang Le West Road, Xi’an 710032, China
Guang-Zhou An: Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169# Chang Le West Road, Xi’an 710032, China
Jun-Ping Zhang: Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169# Chang Le West Road, Xi’an 710032, China
Ke-Ying Zhang: Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169# Chang Le West Road, Xi’an 710032, China
Wei He: Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169# Chang Le West Road, Xi’an 710032, China
Huan Wang: Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169# Chang Le West Road, Xi’an 710032, China
Wei Li: Department of Histology and Embryology, Fourth Military Medical University, 169# Chang Le West Road, Xi’an 710032, China
Gui-Rong Ding: Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169# Chang Le West Road, Xi’an 710032, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: Under some occupational conditions, workers are inevitably exposed to high-intensity radiofrequency (RF) fields. In this study, we investigated the effects of one-month exposure to a 220 MHz pulsed modulated RF field at the power density of 50 W/m 2 on the sperm quality in male adult rats. The sperm quality was evaluated by measuring the number, abnormality and survival rate of sperm cells. The morphology of testis was examined by hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining. The levels of secreting factors by Sertoli cells (SCs) and Leydig cells (LCs) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The level of cleaved caspase 3 in the testis was detected by immunofluorescence staining. Finally, the expression levels of the apoptosis-related protein (caspase 3, BAX and BCL2) in the testis were assessed by Western blotting. Compared with the sham group, the sperm quality in the RF group decreased significantly. The levels of secreting factors of SCs and the morphology of the testis showed an obvious change after RF exposure. The level of the secreting factor of LCs decreased significantly after RF exposure. The levels of cleaved caspase 3, caspase 3, and the BAX/BCL2 ratio in the testis increased markedly after RF exposure. These data collectively suggested that under the present experimental conditions, 220 MHz pulsed modulated RF exposure could impair sperm quality in rats, and the disruption of the secreting function of LCs and increased apoptosis of testis cells induced by the RF field might be accounted for by this damaging effect.

Keywords: RF field; testis; sperm quality; apoptosis; rat (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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