The protective effect of melatonin on radiofrequency electromagnetic fields of mobile phone-induced testicular damage in an experimental mouse model

Abstract

Overview

Radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from mobile devices is known to adversely affect male reproductive organs. This study explores the protective role of melatonin, a potent antioxidant, against the damaging effects of RF-EMR on testicular tissue.

Methodology

In this experiment, 32 adult male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, a melatonin-treated group, an RF-EMR exposed group, and a group receiving both melatonin and RF-EMR. The melatonin was administered at 2 mg/kg for 30 consecutive days intraperitoneally, while RF-EMR exposure was at 900 MHz, ranging from 100 to 300 MT and 54 to 160 W/m for 4 hours daily covering the whole body.

Findings

• Mobile phone EMR led to oxidative stress, testicular tissue damage, and decreased testosterone levels.
• Melatonin treatment improved oxidative stress markers such as MDA and GSH, the injury score of testis, and increased the thickness of the germinal epithelial and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules.
• There were significant improvements and decreases in testosterone hormone levels in the EMR-exposed mice treated with melatonin (p < .05).

Conclusion

The data indicate that melatonin, due to its antioxidant properties, effectively mitigates the oxidative damage to testis tissue induced by RF-EMR from mobile phones, highlighting a significant protective effect.