Document Type : Original Research

Authors

• Reza Mahmoudi ¹
• Saied Karbalay-Doust ^{2, 3}
• Ehsan Masoudi ⁴
• Mehrzad Jafari-Barmak ¹
• Amir Ghanbri ¹
• Mohsen Nikseresht ¹
• Seyed Mohammad Javad Mortazavi ^{5, 6}
• Seyed Alireza Mortazavi ⁷

¹ Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran

² Anatomy Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

³ Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

⁴ Student Research Committee, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran

⁵ Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

⁶ Department of Medical Physics and Medical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

⁷ MVLS College, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Abstract

Background: Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMF) have raised concerns due to their potential adverse effects on reproductive health. However, emerging evidence indicates that exposure to low-level RF-EMF may induce adaptive responses, rendering cells or organisms more resilient to subsequent stressors.
Objective: To investigate whether exposure to 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi radiation could mitigate heat-induced damage in the reproductive system of male rats.
Material and Methods: In this factorial experimental study, 32 adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, RF-EMF alone, heat stress alone, and RF-EMF combined with heat stress. Rats in the RF-EMF group were exposed to RF-EMF for 2 hours daily over 52 days, while those in the heat group experienced 10 minutes of heat stress per day over the same period. The ‘RF-EMF + heat’ group received both RF-EMF and heat exposure. After 52 days, the testes and sperm parameters were assessed.
Results: Animals exposed to ‘RF-EMF + heat’ combined with heat showed significant improvements in testis volume, tubular epithelium, interstitium, cell counts, sperm quality, and Leydig cells compared to those exposed to heat alone (P<0.05). 
Conclusion: As far as we know, this is the first study to explore the potential protective effects of RF-EMF exposure against heat-induced structural abnormalities in the testes of male rats. Our findings suggest that RF-EMF exposure may mitigate heat-induced damage, possibly through the induction of adaptive responses. These results have implications for various fields, including reproductive biology, environmental health, and occupational safety, highlighting the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Highlights

Reza Mahmoudi (Google Scholar)

Seyed Alireza Mortazavi (Google Scholar)

Keywords

• Radiofrequency
• Wi-Fi
• EMF
• Hyperthermia
• Sperm
• Testis
• Rats