Avaliação dos parâmetros reprodutivos em ratos Wistar após exposição à radiação eletromagnética de radiofrequência emitida por telefones móveis

Abstract

The mobile communication system has grown over the years. The total number of mobile phone subscriptions reached 6.8 billion in 2013. Decreasing fecundity and fertility in men have led to growing concern about the hazardous effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) on reproductive organs. This study aimed to analyze the sperm quality of rats after whole-body RF-EMR exposure. Male Wistar rats, 90 days old, were exposed to radiofrequency emitted by mobile phones (1.8 GHz) for periods of 3 and 10 nights. Apoptosis was tested using TUNEL assay, sperm morphology and mortality were assessed by Shorr and Eosin stain methods respectively, and the cell count was performed. Both exposed groups showed significantly increased mortality and reduced sperm concentration along with significant increase in the apoptosis incidence compared to the respective control groups. Given the results, we speculate that RF-EMR exposure negatively affects semen quality and may impair male fertility.