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Prolonged 3.5 GHz and 24 GHz RF-EMF Exposure Alters Testicular Immune Balance, Apoptotic Gene Expression, and Sperm
Syed Muhamad Asyraf Syed Taha1, Farah Hanan Fathihah Jaffar1, Atikah Hairulazam1
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia.
Biomedicines
|October 29, 2025
Summary
This study found that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) from 5G technology can negatively impact rat sperm quality. Longer exposure durations (7 hours daily) significantly worsened these reproductive effects.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive toxicology
- Electromagnetic field (EMF) research
- 5G technology health effects
Background:
- Growing 5G network deployment necessitates understanding potential health impacts, particularly on male reproductive health.
- Previous research on radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) has raised concerns, prompting investigation into specific 5G frequencies.
- Mid-band (3.5 GHz) and millimeter-wave (24 GHz) RF-EMF effects on testicular function require detailed examination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency- and duration-dependent effects of 3.5 GHz and 24 GHz RF-EMF on rat testicular cytokines, apoptosis-related gene expression, and sperm quality.
- To assess how varying daily exposure times (1 hour vs. 7 hours) influence these reproductive parameters.
- To elucidate potential mechanisms, including immune and apoptotic pathways, underlying RF-EMF reproductive toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed for 60 days to 3.5 GHz or 24 GHz RF-EMF (1h/day or 7h/day) or sham conditions.
- Quantification of testicular cytokines (IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes (Tp53, Bax, Bcl2, Casp3).
- Evaluation of sperm parameters: concentration, viability, and motility.
Main Results:
- 24 GHz RF-EMF exposure reduced IL-10 (both durations) and TNF-α (7h duration).
- 3.5 GHz RF-EMF exposure at 1h increased Casp3 and decreased Tp53 expression.
- Sperm concentration and viability decreased with 24 GHz (7h), while motility was impaired by 3.5 GHz (both durations).
Conclusions:
- 3.5 GHz RF-EMF impacts sperm motility potentially through extrinsic pro-apoptotic pathways.
- 24 GHz RF-EMF affects sperm concentration and viability, possibly via immune-apoptotic mechanisms.
- A 7-hour daily exposure duration significantly amplifies the negative reproductive effects of both 3.5 GHz and 24 GHz RF-EMF.
