Effects of 150 kHz intermediate frequency electromagnetic radiation on fertility indicators in male rats

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of whole-body exposure to 150 kHz Intermediate -frequency electromagnetic radiation (IF EMR) on fertility indicators of male rats since human exposure to this frequency has increased in recent years. Fourteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The rats were randomly divided into a control and an EMR group (n = 7/group). The EMR group was continuously irradiated with 150 kHz EMR for 8 weeks. Male fertility indicators, body mass, testicular mass, rectal temperature, testicular histology, histometry, sperm analysis, and serum gonadotrophic hormone levels were evaluated.Results: The study showed no negative effect on body mass (grams) (323.78 +/- 37.09 to 305.09 +/- 26.36; p = 0.72), rectal temperature (Control: 34.5 degrees C-35.8 degrees C; EMR: 34.4 degrees C-36.1 degrees C; p < 0.05), and testicular histology. There were significant reductions in left and right testicular mass (1.04 +/- 0.10 to 0.96 +/- 0.32: p = 0.03 and 1.02 +/- 0.08 to 0.96 +/- 0.35 p = 0.04, respectively), interstitial cell count/1000 mu m2 (5.33 +/- 0.56 to 4.47 +/- 0.48; p = 0.01), sperm motility trajectories (p = 0.05) and sperm distal cytoplasmic droplet (%) (2.27 +/- 2.28 to 6.84 +/- 5.01; p = 0.05). A significant increase in follicle-stimulating hormone levels was observed (13.44 +/- 6.38 IU/ml to 26.96 +/- 8.07 IU/ml; p = 0.01).Conclusions: Most male fertility parameters of rats in the present study were not affected by 8 weeks of whole-body exposure to 150 kHz EMR. However, significant decreases in testicular mass, interstitial cell count/1000 mu m2, sperm motility trajectories, and distal cytoplasmic droplets were observed, as well as an increase in FSH level.