Time-Dependence Effect of 2.45 GHz RF-EMR Exposure on Male Reproductive Hormones and LHCGR | [Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Norazurashima Jamaludin: Center for Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Investigative Studies (CODTIS), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Institut Latihan Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (ILKKM), Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia

2. Siti Fatimah Ibrahim: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

3. Khairul Osman: Center for Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Investigative Studies (CODTIS), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

4. Syed Muhamad Asyraf Syed Taha: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

5. Atikah Hairulazam: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

6. Sivasatyan Vijay: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

7. Aini Farzana Zulkefli: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

8. Mohd Farisyam Mat Ros: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

9. Farah Hanan Fathihah Jaffar: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract:

As wireless technologies become increasingly integrated into daily life, concerns have grown regarding the biological effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation (RF-EMR), particularly its influence on the Luteinizing Hormone (LH)-LH receptor (LHCGR)-testosterone pathway within the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis. This study investigated the effects of 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi exposure on this pathway in male rats. A total of 24 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 6 per group) and exposed to Wi-Fi for 0 (control), 4, 8, or 24 hours daily for eight weeks. Serum LH and testosterone levels were measured by ELISA. LHCGR gene and protein expression were assessed using RT-qPCR and Western blot. All data were analyzed using ANOVA, except for serum testosterone levels which were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. No significant differences were found in systemic LH or testosterone levels between groups. However, LHCGR mRNA expression showed a significant time-dependent increase. LHCGR protein levels decreased with shorter exposure durations and showed partial improvement at 24 hours, though they remained significantly lower than controls. These findings suggest that although systemic hormonal levels remain stable, RF-EMR exposure may associated with molecular alterations in testicular tissue, including compensatory upregulation of LHCGR expression. The increased LHCGR gene expression, alongside the fluctuating protein levels, indicates an adaptive, but not fully restorative response in Leydig cells compared with non-exposed controls.

Page(s): 43-51

DOI: 10.47310/jpms2025141006

Published: Journal: Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences, Volume: 14, Issue: 10, Year: 2025

Keywords:

Male fertility , WiFi , LHCGR , Testosterone Regulation , HPG Axis

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