Effects of 5G mobile phone network electromagnetic field exposure on testicular endoplasmic

Abstract

Effects of 5G mobile phone network electromagnetic field exposure on testicular endoplasmic reticulum stress and the protective role of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Yilmaz H, Tümkaya L, Mercantepe T, Yılmaz A, Gül F, Suzan ZT. Effects of 5G mobile phone network electromagnetic field exposure on testicular endoplasmic reticulum stress and the protective role of coenzyme Q10. Arch Med Res. 2025 Jan 6;56(4):103157. doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2024.103157. Abstract Aim: Nowadays, the electromagnetic field (EMF) has become an issue of electromagnetic pollution. This study aimed to determine the effect of 5 G Fr1 frequency band EMF waves on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in testicular tissue and to demonstrate the efficacy of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in suppressing the potential situation. Materials and methods: Three groups of eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were established. In group I (control) received only saline solution by oral gavage. In group II (EMF), saline solution was administered by oral gavage and the rats were exposed to 5.9 GHz EMF for 2 h/d (09:00-11:00). In group III (EMF+ CoQ10), the EMF exposure was created in the same way as in group II and CoQ10 was given daily at 10 mg/kg (CoQ10), 2 mg/kg dissolved in corn oil and administered by oral gavage for the experimental period (30 days). Results: Histopathological damage, including edematous regions, vascular congestion, and neutrophil inflammation accompanied by loss of spermatogenic cells, particularly spermatozoa, and spermatids, increased thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) and decreased total thiol (TT) levels were observed in the seminiferous tubules in the EMF group. Furthermore, germinal epithelial cells showing intense GRP-78 immunopositivity and spermatogenic cells indicating C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) immunopositivity were increased in the seminiferous tubules. On the other hand, in the EMF+CoQ10 group, both histopathological and biochemical findings were observed in the opposite direction. Conclusion: Due to its antioxidant properties and its ability to suppress oxidative stress and apoptosis, CoQ10 may be a promising candidate against 5 G EMF-induced testicular ER damage. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Rats exposed to 5.9 GHz EMF (2 h/day for 30 days) showed testicular histopathological damage with loss of spermatogenic cells, increased TBARS and decreased total thiol, and increased GRP-78 and CHOP immunopositivity in seminiferous tubules versus control. In the EMF+CoQ10 group, histopathological, biochemical, and immunohistochemical findings were reported to be in the opposite direction compared with EMF alone.

Outcomes measured

• Testicular histopathology (edema, vascular congestion, neutrophil inflammation, loss of spermatogenic cells)
• Oxidative stress markers (TBARS, total thiol)
• ER stress/apoptosis-related immunohistochemistry (GRP-78, CHOP)
• Effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation

Limitations

• No SAR or dosimetry details reported in the abstract
• Small sample size (n=8 per group)
• Animal model; generalizability to humans not established in abstract

Suggested hubs

• 5g-policy (0.62)
  Study explicitly examines 5G FR1 (5.9 GHz) EMF exposure effects.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone network (5G)",
        "frequency_mhz": 5900,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "2 h/day for 30 days"
    },
    "population": "Male Sprague-Dawley rats",
    "sample_size": 24,
    "outcomes": [
        "Testicular histopathology (edema, vascular congestion, neutrophil inflammation, loss of spermatogenic cells)",
        "Oxidative stress markers (TBARS, total thiol)",
        "ER stress/apoptosis-related immunohistochemistry (GRP-78, CHOP)",
        "Effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Rats exposed to 5.9 GHz EMF (2 h/day for 30 days) showed testicular histopathological damage with loss of spermatogenic cells, increased TBARS and decreased total thiol, and increased GRP-78 and CHOP immunopositivity in seminiferous tubules versus control. In the EMF+CoQ10 group, histopathological, biochemical, and immunohistochemical findings were reported to be in the opposite direction compared with EMF alone.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "No SAR or dosimetry details reported in the abstract",
        "Small sample size (n=8 per group)",
        "Animal model; generalizability to humans not established in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "5G",
        "FR1",
        "5.9 GHz",
        "RF-EMF",
        "testis",
        "endoplasmic reticulum stress",
        "GRP-78",
        "CHOP",
        "oxidative stress",
        "TBARS",
        "total thiol",
        "coenzyme Q10",
        "Sprague-Dawley rat"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.61999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
            "reason": "Study explicitly examines 5G FR1 (5.9 GHz) EMF exposure effects."
        }
    ]
}

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