Exploring edible bird nest's potential in mitigating Wi-Fi's impact on male reproductive health

PAPER manual Reprod Med Biol 2024 Animal study Effect: mixed Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12606 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Exploring edible bird nest's potential in mitigating Wi-Fi's impact on male reproductive health Maluin SM, Jaffar FHF, Osman K, Zulkefli AF, Mat Ros MF, Ibrahim SF. Exploring edible bird nest's potential in mitigating Wi-Fi's impact on male reproductive health. Reprod Med Biol. 2024 Sep 11;23(1):e12606. doi: 10.1002/rmb2.12606. Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of edible bird nest (EBN) against the detrimental impact of Wi-Fi on male reproductive health. Specifically, it examines whether EBN can mitigate Wi-Fi-induced changes in male reproductive hormones, estrogen receptors (ER), spermatogenesis, and sperm parameters. Methods: Thirty-six adult male rats were divided into six groups (n = 6): Control, Control EBN, Control E2, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi+EBN, and Wi-Fi+E2. Control EBN and Wi-Fi+EBN groups received 250 mg/kg/day EBN, while Control E2 and Wi-Fi+E2 groups received 12 μg/kg/day E2 for 10 days. Wi-Fi exposure and EBN supplementation lasted eight weeks. Assessments included organ weight, hormone levels (FSH, LH, testosterone, and E2), ERα/ERβ mRNA and protein expression, spermatogenic markers (c-KIT and SCF), and sperm quality. Results: Wi-Fi exposure led to decreased FSH, testosterone, ERα mRNA, and sperm quality (concentration, motility, and viability). EBN supplementation restored serum FSH and testosterone levels, increased serum LH levels, and the testosterone/E2 ratio, and normalized mRNA ERα expression. Additionally, EBN increased sperm concentration in Wi-Fi-exposed rats without affecting motility or viability. Conclusions: EBN plays a crucial role in regulating male reproductive hormones and spermatogenesis, leading to improved sperm concentration. This could notably benefit men experiencing oligospermia due to excessive Wi-Fi exposure. Excerpts Wi-Fi exposure setting: For Wi-Fi exposure, this study utilized the TP-LINK AC750 Wireless Dual Band Wi- Fi Router Archer C20 (Shenzhen, China). This router features three external antennas, emitting signals at a frequency of 2.45 GHz using the IEEE 802.11n standard. The router was positioned 20 cm away from the rat cages and constantly exchanged data with a Raspberry Pi device through a ping protocol.3 The router was selected for its minimal vibration and noise output, which is typical for standard Wi-Fi routers used in laboratory settings. Additionally, the rats were housed in a controlled environment designed to minimize external disturbances, ensuring the reliability of our findings related to Wi-Fi exposure effects on male reproductive health. Conclusion: This study highlights the negative impact of eight weeks of Wi-Fi exposure on sperm quality, including decreased concentration, motility, and viability, which can be ascribed to changes in male reproductive hormones. EBN supplementation appears to be a preventive intervention, significantly increasing gonadotrophin and testosterone levels, as well as sperm concentration in Wi-Fi-exposed rats, but not influencing sperm motility or viability. Furthermore, it increases the T/E2 ratio and restores estrogenic activity in the testes, resulting in enhanced sperm concentration. The study also reveals a discrepancy between the impacts of EBN supplementation and E2 treatment on sperm concentration in a Wi-Fi-exposed setting, emphasizing EBN's unique protective properties without adverse effects on male reproduction. In conclusion, EBN supplementation effectively restores spermatogenesis capabilities that are affected by Wi-Fi-induced damage. This is achieved through the modulation of male reproductive hormones, with a primary influence on sperm concentration. Nevertheless, further research is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms and establish safe usage limits for maximizing the benefits of EBN while minimizing potential risks. Open access paper: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

mixed

Population

Adult male rats

Sample size

Exposure

RF wi-fi · 2450 MHz · 8 weeks

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

In rats, 8 weeks of 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi exposure decreased serum FSH and testosterone, reduced ERα mRNA expression, and decreased sperm quality (concentration, motility, viability). Edible bird nest (250 mg/kg/day) during Wi-Fi exposure restored FSH and testosterone, increased LH and the testosterone/E2 ratio, normalized ERα mRNA expression, and increased sperm concentration, but did not improve sperm motility or viability.

Outcomes measured

Organ weight
FSH
LH
Testosterone
Estradiol (E2)
Testosterone/E2 ratio
ERα mRNA expression
ERβ mRNA expression
ERα/ERβ protein expression
Spermatogenic markers (c-KIT, SCF)
Sperm concentration
Sperm motility
Sperm viability

Limitations

Animal study (rats), limiting direct generalizability to humans
Small group sizes (n=6 per group)
Exposure metric details such as SAR/power density not reported in the provided abstract/excerpt
Intervention co-exposure design (EBN and E2 groups) may complicate attribution of effects solely to Wi-Fi exposure

Suggested hubs

school-wi-fi (0.6)
Study uses 2.45 GHz Wi‑Fi router exposure and assesses biological effects relevant to Wi‑Fi environments.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "wi-fi",
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "8 weeks"
    },
    "population": "Adult male rats",
    "sample_size": 36,
    "outcomes": [
        "Organ weight",
        "FSH",
        "LH",
        "Testosterone",
        "Estradiol (E2)",
        "Testosterone/E2 ratio",
        "ERα mRNA expression",
        "ERβ mRNA expression",
        "ERα/ERβ protein expression",
        "Spermatogenic markers (c-KIT, SCF)",
        "Sperm concentration",
        "Sperm motility",
        "Sperm viability"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In rats, 8 weeks of 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi exposure decreased serum FSH and testosterone, reduced ERα mRNA expression, and decreased sperm quality (concentration, motility, viability). Edible bird nest (250 mg/kg/day) during Wi-Fi exposure restored FSH and testosterone, increased LH and the testosterone/E2 ratio, normalized ERα mRNA expression, and increased sperm concentration, but did not improve sperm motility or viability.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Animal study (rats), limiting direct generalizability to humans",
        "Small group sizes (n=6 per group)",
        "Exposure metric details such as SAR/power density not reported in the provided abstract/excerpt",
        "Intervention co-exposure design (EBN and E2 groups) may complicate attribution of effects solely to Wi-Fi exposure"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "Wi-Fi",
        "2.45 GHz",
        "RF exposure",
        "male reproductive health",
        "spermatogenesis",
        "sperm quality",
        "FSH",
        "LH",
        "testosterone",
        "estradiol",
        "estrogen receptor alpha",
        "edible bird nest",
        "rat"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "school-wi-fi",
            "weight": 0.59999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
            "reason": "Study uses 2.45 GHz Wi‑Fi router exposure and assesses biological effects relevant to Wi‑Fi environments."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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