Abstract

Overview

The study examines the impact of 900 MHz radio frequency radiation (RFR) on rat testis, investigating cell death, proliferation, and the activation of the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway due to exposure.

Findings

• Exposure was set at 2 hours per day for 5 days a week, over acute (1 week) and chronic (10 weeks) periods.
• Analysis included various cellular markers such as PCNA, Bcl-xL, cleaved caspase-3, and phosphorylated forms of JNK and p38.
• No histopathological changes were observed between controlled and exposed groups in both time frames.
• Significant increases in apoptotic markers were noted in the acute phase, with moderation over the chronic phase.
• Protein expression of phosphorylated JNK and p38 was significantly higher in RFR-exposed groups, emphasizing a potential risk in RFR-related environments and suggesting impacts could be transient or become normalized over longer exposure.

Conclusion

The study indicates significant cellular changes in the rat testis during acute exposure to 900 MHz RFR, although some effects appear to be mitigated over the chronic period. The involvement of the JNK/p38 MAPK pathway suggests a deeper molecular interaction that may contribute to understanding male infertility and reproductive health risks associated with EMF exposure.