Effects of 150 kHz intermediate frequency electromagnetic radiation on fertility indicators in male rats

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of whole-body exposure to 150 kHz Intermediate-frequency electromagnetic radiation (IF EMR) on fertility indicators of male rats since human exposure to this frequency has increased in recent years. Fourteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The rats were randomly divided into a control and an EMR group (n = 7/group). The EMR group was continuously irradiated with 150 kHz EMR for 8 weeks. Male fertility indicators, body mass, testicular mass, rectal temperature, testicular histology, histometry, sperm analysis, and serum gonadotrophic hormone levels were evaluated. RESULTS: The study showed no negative effect on body mass (grams) (323.78 ± 37.09 to 305.09 ± 26.36; p = 0.72), rectal temperature (Control: 34.5 °C–35.8 °C; EMR: 34.4 °C–36.1 °C; p < 0.05), and testicular histology. There were significant reductions in left and right testicular mass (1.04 ± 0.10 to 0.96 ± 0.32: p = 0.03 and 1.02 ± 0.08 to 0.96 ± 0.35 p = 0.04, respectively), interstitial cell count/1000 μm(2) (5.33 ± 0.56 to 4.47 ± 0.48; p = 0.01), sperm motility trajectories (p = 0.05) and sperm distal cytoplasmic droplet (%) (2.27 ± 2.28 to 6.84 ± 5.01; p = 0.05). A significant increase in follicle-stimulating hormone levels was observed (13.44 ± 6.38 IU/ml to 26.96 ± 8.07 IU/ml; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Most male fertility parameters of rats in the present study were not affected by 8 weeks of whole-body exposure to 150 kHz EMR. However, significant decreases in testicular mass, interstitial cell count/1000 μm(2), sperm motility trajectories, and distal cytoplasmic droplets were observed, as well as an increase in FSH level.