5G手机射频辐射暴露对雄性小鼠生殖能力的影响

Effects of 5G mobile phone radiofrequency radiation exposure on male mouse fertility

目的明确5G手机射频辐射暴露对雄鼠生育力的影响,并初步探讨其机制。方法将7~8周龄健康雄性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为Sham组、3.5 GHz RFR组和4.9 GHz RFR组,每组16只,分别用3.5 GHz和4.9 GHz的手机射频辐射连续暴露42 d,每天1 h。通过检测精子数量、畸形率和活力评估精子质量;通过HE染色观察各级生精细胞形态、生精小管直径、生精上皮厚度评估睾丸组织结构;通过精子线粒体膜电位和睾丸ATP含量评估精子线粒体功能;通过生育率、产仔数和仔鼠存活率评估小鼠的生育力;通过检测LRGUK基因甲基化水平、mRNA和蛋白水平对机制进行探索。结果与Sham组相比,3.5 GHz RFR组和4.9 GHz RFR组的精子数量无明显变化,精子畸形率显著升高,精子活力显著降低;睾丸组织结构无明显改变;精子线粒体功能无明显变化;小鼠生育力无明显变化;睾丸内LRGUK基因的甲基化水平显著升高,mRNA和蛋白表达水平显著降低。结论3.5 GHz和4.9 GHz的手机射频辐射连续暴露42 d可导致小鼠精子畸形率升高,精子活力降低,但对小鼠的生育力无明显影响,这可能与睾丸LRGUK基因的甲基化水平升高有关。

Objective To clarify the effects of 5G mobile phone radiofrequency radiation exposure on male mouse fertility and to preliminarily explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods Healthy male C57BL/6 mice aged 7-8 weeks were randomly assigned to Sham group,3.5 GHz radiofrequency radiation group,and 4.9 GHz radiofrequency radiation group,with 16 mice in each group.The mice were exposed to 3.5 GHz or 4.9 GHz mobile phone radiofrequency radiation for 42 consecutive days(1 h per day).The sperm quality was evaluated using sperm count,deformity rate,and motility.H&E staining was performed to assess testicular tissue structure by observing the morphology of spermatogenic cells at various development stages,the diameter of seminiferous tubules,and the thickness of seminiferous epithelium.The sperm mitochondrial function was assessed using sperm mitochondrial membrane potential and testicular ATP content.The fertility of mice was evaluated through fertility rate,litter size,and survival rate of offspring.The underlying mechanisms were explored by detecting the methylation of LRGUK gene and its mRNA and protein levels.Results Compared with the Sham group,there were no significant changes in sperm count in the 3.5 GHz and 4.9 GHz groups;however,the sperm abnormality rate significantly increased(P<0.05)and sperm motility significantly decreased(P<0.05).The structure of testicular tissue,the function of sperm mitochondria,and fertility of mice showed no significant changes as compared with the Sham group.The methylation level of LRGUK gene in the testes significantly increased,while the mRNA and protein expression levels significantly decreased.Conclusion Exposure to 3.5 GHz and 4.9 GHz mobile phone radiofrequency radiation for 42 consecutive days can lead to an increase in sperm deformity rate and a decrease in sperm motility in mice,but has no significant effect on fertility,which may be related to an increase in methylation level of the LRGUK gene in the testes.