Whole-body exposures to radiofrequency-electromagnetic energy can cause DNA damage in mouse spermatozoa via an oxidative mechanism

2019 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 1629

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Whole-body exposures to radiofrequency-electromagnetic energy can cause DNA damage in mouse spermatozoa via an oxidative mechanism Houston BJ, Nixon B, McEwan KE, Martin JH, King BV, Aitken RJ, De Iuliis GN. Whole-body exposures to radiofrequency-electromagnetic energy can cause DNA damage in mouse spermatozoa via an oxidative mechanism. Sci Rep. 2019 Nov 25;9(1):17478. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-53983-9. 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. Open access paper: nature.com

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationUnrestrained male mice

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 905 MHz · 2.2 W/kg · 12 h/day for 1, 3, or 5 weeks

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Male mice were exposed whole-body to RF-EME (905 MHz, 2.2 W/kg) 12 h/day for 1, 3, or 5 weeks. Testes showed no gross histological change or elevated stress across regimens, but 5 weeks exposure adversely affected sperm vitality and motility; sperm showed increased mitochondrial ROS after 1 week and elevated DNA oxidation and fragmentation across all exposure periods. Despite these lesions, fertilization competence and ability to support early embryonic development were not impaired.

Outcomes measured

Testis histology/gross histological change
Testicular stress (unspecified)
Sperm vitality
Sperm motility
Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in spermatozoa
Sperm DNA oxidation
Sperm DNA fragmentation
Fertilization competence
Support of early embryonic development

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
Exposure source context (e.g., phone/Wi-Fi vs laboratory generator) not specified beyond a dedicated waveguide
Details of outcome measurement methods and statistical results not provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 905,
    "sar_wkg": 2.2,
    "duration": "12 h/day for 1, 3, or 5 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Unrestrained male mice",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Testis histology/gross histological change",
    "Testicular stress (unspecified)",
    "Sperm vitality",
    "Sperm motility",
    "Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in spermatozoa",
    "Sperm DNA oxidation",
    "Sperm DNA fragmentation",
    "Fertilization competence",
    "Support of early embryonic development"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Male mice were exposed whole-body to RF-EME (905 MHz, 2.2 W/kg) 12 h/day for 1, 3, or 5 weeks. Testes showed no gross histological change or elevated stress across regimens, but 5 weeks exposure adversely affected sperm vitality and motility; sperm showed increased mitochondrial ROS after 1 week and elevated DNA oxidation and fragmentation across all exposure periods. Despite these lesions, fertilization competence and ability to support early embryonic development were not impaired.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Exposure source context (e.g., phone/Wi-Fi vs laboratory generator) not specified beyond a dedicated waveguide",
    "Details of outcome measurement methods and statistical results not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF-EME",
    "whole-body exposure",
    "mouse",
    "spermatozoa",
    "DNA damage",
    "DNA fragmentation",
    "DNA oxidation",
    "oxidative stress",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "male reproductive system",
    "905 MHz",
    "SAR 2.2 W/kg"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53983-9
PubMed: Not supplied

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