Protective effect of crocin on electromagnetic field-induced testicular damage and heat shock protein A2 expression in male BALB/c mice.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted from mobile phones may cause a deleterious effect on human health and may affect the male reproductive system. , a carotenoid isolated from , is a phar¬macologically active component of saffron. So, this study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of on the male reproductive system of 60 day old mice after EMF exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1. Em group (2100 MHZ); 2. Cr group (50 mg/kg); 3. Em+Cr group (2100 MHZ+50 mg/kg), and 4. Control group. Sperm parameters (count, and abnormal percent), testis weight index, testis volume, seminiferous tubule diam¬eter, germinal epithelium thickness, LH, FSH and testosterone serum level, testicular Heat shock protein A2 (HspA2) immunoreactivity, and apoptosis were evaluated. RESULTS: HspA2 immunoreactivity, apoptosis in the germinal epithelium and abnormal sperm were increased in Em group compared with the control group (<0.05). Sperm count, LH, and testosterone serum level were decreased in the Em group compared with the control group (<0.05). These parameters were improved in the Em+Cr group compared with Em group significantly (<0.05). CONCLUSION: our findings revealed that EMF exposure leads to harmful impressions on the male reproductive system, while crocin can attenuate EMF-induced destructive effects.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Compared with controls, the EMF-exposed group showed increased HspA2 immunoreactivity, increased germinal epithelium apoptosis, and increased abnormal sperm, with decreased sperm count, LH, and testosterone (P<0.05). These parameters were significantly improved in the EMF+crocin group compared with EMF alone (P<0.05).

Outcomes measured

• Sperm parameters (count, abnormal percent)
• Testis weight index
• Testis volume
• Seminiferous tubule diameter
• Germinal epithelium thickness
• Serum LH
• Serum FSH
• Serum testosterone
• Testicular Heat shock protein A2 (HspA2) immunoreactivity
• Apoptosis in germinal epithelium

Limitations

• Exposure duration not reported in abstract
• Specific EMF exposure conditions beyond frequency (e.g., SAR, power density, distance) not reported in abstract
• Animal model; generalizability to humans is uncertain
• Small sample size (24 mice across 4 groups)

Suggested hubs

• rf-male-fertility (0.9)
  Assesses RF (2100 MHz) exposure effects on sperm/testicular outcomes and hormones in male mice.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": 2100,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Male BALB/c mice (60 day old)",
    "sample_size": 24,
    "outcomes": [
        "Sperm parameters (count, abnormal percent)",
        "Testis weight index",
        "Testis volume",
        "Seminiferous tubule diameter",
        "Germinal epithelium thickness",
        "Serum LH",
        "Serum FSH",
        "Serum testosterone",
        "Testicular Heat shock protein A2 (HspA2) immunoreactivity",
        "Apoptosis in germinal epithelium"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Compared with controls, the EMF-exposed group showed increased HspA2 immunoreactivity, increased germinal epithelium apoptosis, and increased abnormal sperm, with decreased sperm count, LH, and testosterone (P<0.05). These parameters were significantly improved in the EMF+crocin group compared with EMF alone (P<0.05).",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
        "Specific EMF exposure conditions beyond frequency (e.g., SAR, power density, distance) not reported in abstract",
        "Animal model; generalizability to humans is uncertain",
        "Small sample size (24 mice across 4 groups)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "electromagnetic field",
        "EMF",
        "mobile phone",
        "2100 MHz",
        "crocin",
        "saffron",
        "testis",
        "male reproductive system",
        "sperm count",
        "testosterone",
        "LH",
        "FSH",
        "HspA2",
        "heat shock protein A2",
        "apoptosis",
        "BALB/c mice"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "rf-male-fertility",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Assesses RF (2100 MHz) exposure effects on sperm/testicular outcomes and hormones in male mice."
        }
    ]
}

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