Effects of 700MHz radiofrequency radiation (5G lower band) on the reproductive parameters of female Wistar rats

Abstract

Category: Reproductive Toxicology Tags: 5G, radiofrequency radiation, reproductive health, oxidative stress, female Wistar rats, ovarian morphology, DNA damage DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2025.108910 URL: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Overview The advent of 5G technology has raised concerns about its potential biological effects, particularly on reproductive health. This study investigated the impact of 700MHz, a lower 5G frequency band, on the reproductive health of female Wistar rats. Short-term and long-term exposures were assessed by dividing rats into control, sham-exposed, and exposed groups (n=6 for short-term; n=8 for long-term), with exposure durations of 6 hours daily for 10 days (short-term) and 4 hours daily for 60 days (long-term). Findings - Physiological parameters, such as estrous cyclicity, alongside histopathological and biochemical analyses of harvested ovaries, were evaluated. - Comet assay assessments indicated no DNA damage in either exposure group. - Serological hormone levels (estradiol and progesterone) remained within normal ranges, but there was a slight yet significant increase in testosterone levels in exposed groups. - Oxidative stress markers showed elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) and significant decreases in superoxide dismutase (SOD), total sulfhydryl content, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in ovaries from exposed rats. - Histopathological analysis showed no significant short-term changes, but long-term exposure led to alterations such as cystic follicles and abnormal vasculature in ovarian tissue. Conclusion These findings suggest that 700MHz 5G radiofrequency radiation can induce oxidative stress and tissue changes in ovaries after prolonged exposure, establishing a link between electromagnetic field exposure and adverse reproductive outcomes—especially with chronic exposure. Highlights - Estrous cycle length was unaffected by both short-term and long-term exposure to 700 MHz. - No major histoarchitectural changes were noted in short-term exposure; however, long-term exposure produced ovarian abnormalities. - Testosterone levels were significantly altered in exposed animals, although still within the normal range. - No DNA damage was found through comet assay for either exposure duration.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Estrous cycle length was unaffected in both short- and long-term exposure groups. Comet assay indicated no DNA damage. Estradiol and progesterone remained within normal ranges, while testosterone showed a slight but significant increase in exposed groups. Ovarian oxidative stress markers indicated increased MDA and decreased SOD, total sulfhydryl content, and FRAP; histopathology showed no significant short-term changes but long-term exposure was associated with cystic follicles and abnormal vasculature.

Outcomes measured

• Estrous cyclicity/estrous cycle length
• Ovarian histopathology/morphology (e.g., cystic follicles, vasculature)
• Oxidative stress markers in ovary (MDA, SOD, total sulfhydryl content, FRAP)
• DNA damage (comet assay)
• Serum hormones (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone)

Limitations

• SAR/dosimetry not reported in the provided abstract
• Small group sizes (n=6 short-term; n=8 long-term)
• Animal study; generalizability to humans not addressed in the provided abstract

Suggested hubs

• 5g-policy (0.62)
  Study explicitly examines a 5G lower-band frequency (700 MHz) and biological effects.

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    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "5G lower band (700 MHz) radiofrequency radiation",
        "frequency_mhz": 700,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Short-term: 6 h/day for 10 days; Long-term: 4 h/day for 60 days"
    },
    "population": "Female Wistar rats",
    "sample_size": 14,
    "outcomes": [
        "Estrous cyclicity/estrous cycle length",
        "Ovarian histopathology/morphology (e.g., cystic follicles, vasculature)",
        "Oxidative stress markers in ovary (MDA, SOD, total sulfhydryl content, FRAP)",
        "DNA damage (comet assay)",
        "Serum hormones (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Estrous cycle length was unaffected in both short- and long-term exposure groups. Comet assay indicated no DNA damage. Estradiol and progesterone remained within normal ranges, while testosterone showed a slight but significant increase in exposed groups. Ovarian oxidative stress markers indicated increased MDA and decreased SOD, total sulfhydryl content, and FRAP; histopathology showed no significant short-term changes but long-term exposure was associated with cystic follicles and abnormal vasculature.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "SAR/dosimetry not reported in the provided abstract",
        "Small group sizes (n=6 short-term; n=8 long-term)",
        "Animal study; generalizability to humans not addressed in the provided abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "700 MHz",
        "5G",
        "radiofrequency radiation",
        "female Wistar rats",
        "reproductive toxicity",
        "ovary",
        "oxidative stress",
        "malondialdehyde",
        "superoxide dismutase",
        "FRAP",
        "comet assay",
        "DNA damage",
        "testosterone",
        "estradiol",
        "progesterone",
        "histopathology"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.61999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
            "reason": "Study explicitly examines a 5G lower-band frequency (700 MHz) and biological effects."
        }
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}

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