Paternal Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation Exposure Causes Sex-Specific Differences in Body Weight Trajectory and Glucose Metabolism in Offspring Mice

Front Public Health · 2022 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 6843

Study snapshot

PublicationFront Public Health · 2022

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Nowadays, concerns about the harmful effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) on male fertility and offspring health are growing. In the present study, we investigated the effects of long-term exposure (at least 10 weeks) to the RF-EMR [2.0 GHz; power density, 2.5 W/m2; whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR), 0.125-0.5 W/kg] on male mice fertility and F1 growth and glucose metabolism. No significant injuries were observed in testis organization, sperm quality, and pregnancy rate. However, mice exposed to RF-EMR exhibited a significantly elevated apoptosis rate in testis germ cells. Interestingly, paternal RF-EMR exposure resulted in sex-specific weight trajectory differences and glucose metabolism changes in male F1 mice but not in female F1 mice. The changed glucose metabolism in F1 male may result from the altered gene expression of liver Gck. These data collectively suggested that 2.0 GHz RF-EMR whole-body exposure of male mice does not cause obvious impairment in testis, sperm quality, and pregnancy rate. Paternal RF-EMR exposure causes male-specific alterations in body weight trajectories and glucose metabolism of F1.

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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

PopulationMale mice and their F1 offspring mice

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 2000 MHz · 0.5 W/kg · at least 10 weeks

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 93% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In male mice exposed whole-body to 2.0 GHz RF-EMR for at least 10 weeks, no significant impairment was observed in testis organization, sperm quality, or pregnancy rate, but testis germ cell apoptosis was significantly increased. Paternal exposure was associated with sex-specific effects in offspring, with altered body weight trajectory and glucose metabolism in male F1 mice but not female F1 mice.

Outcomes measured

testis organization
sperm quality
pregnancy rate
testis germ cell apoptosis
offspring body weight trajectory
offspring glucose metabolism
liver Gck gene expression

Limitations

Animal study
Sample size not stated in the abstract
Mechanistic inference about liver Gck is suggested rather than established

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": 2000,
    "sar_wkg": 0.5,
    "duration": "at least 10 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Male mice and their F1 offspring mice",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "testis organization",
    "sperm quality",
    "pregnancy rate",
    "testis germ cell apoptosis",
    "offspring body weight trajectory",
    "offspring glucose metabolism",
    "liver Gck gene expression"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In male mice exposed whole-body to 2.0 GHz RF-EMR for at least 10 weeks, no significant impairment was observed in testis organization, sperm quality, or pregnancy rate, but testis germ cell apoptosis was significantly increased. Paternal exposure was associated with sex-specific effects in offspring, with altered body weight trajectory and glucose metabolism in male F1 mice but not female F1 mice.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Animal study",
    "Sample size not stated in the abstract",
    "Mechanistic inference about liver Gck is suggested rather than established"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.93,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMR",
    "2.0 GHz",
    "radiofrequency",
    "paternal exposure",
    "male fertility",
    "testis germ cell apoptosis",
    "offspring",
    "body weight trajectory",
    "glucose metabolism",
    "sex-specific effects",
    "mice"
  ],
  "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: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.872198
PubMed: 35602139

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