Journal Article

Proteomic analysis of continuous 900-MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure in testicular tissue: a rat model of human cell phone exposure

Saeb, Mehdi, Nazifi, Saeed, Sepehrimanesh, Masood, Kazemipour, Nasrin, Davis, Devra Lee

2017

Overview

Although cell phones have been used worldwide, some adverse and toxic effects were reported for this communication technology apparatus. To analyze in vivo effects of exposure to radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on protein expression in rat testicular proteome, 20 Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMF for 0, 1, 2, or 4 h/day for 30 consecutive days. Protein content of rat testes was separated by high-resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis using immobilized pH gradient (pI 4–7, 7 cm) and 12% acrylamide and identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS. Two protein spots were found differentially overexpressed ( P  < 0.05) in intensity and volume with induction factors 1.7 times greater after RF-EMF exposure. After 4 h of daily exposure for 30 consecutive days, ATP synthase beta subunit (ASBS) and hypoxia up-regulated protein 1 precursor (HYOU1) were found to be significantly up-regulated. These proteins affect signaling pathways in rat testes and spermatogenesis and play a critical role in protein folding and secretion in the endoplasmic reticulum. Our results indicate that exposure to RF-EMF produces increases in testicular proteins in adults that are related to carcinogenic risk and reproductive damage. In light of the widespread practice of men carrying phones in their pockets near their gonads, where exposures can exceed as-tested guidelines, further study of these effects should be a high priority.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Acrylamide / acrylamides / Adults / animal models / Animals / Aquatic Pollution / ATP synthase / Biocompatibility / Carcinogens / Cell Phone / Cell phones / Communications equipment / communications technology / Earth and Environmental Science / Ecotoxicology / electromagnetic field / Electromagnetic Fields / Electromagnetic induction / Electromagnetism / Endoplasmic reticulum / Environment / Environmental Chemistry / Environmental Health / Environmental science / Exposure / Gonads / guidelines / H+/K+-exchanging ATPase / H-transporting ATP synthase / Humans / Hypoxia / Low frequency / Male / men / pH effects / protein content / Protein folding / protein synthesis / Proteins / proteome / Proteomics / Radio frequency / Radio Waves / Rats / Rats, Sprague-Dawley / Research Article / risk / Rodents / Secretion / signal transduction / Signaling / Spermatogenesis / Technology assessment / Testes / Testis - metabolism / Testis - radiation effects / toxicity / two-dimensional gel electrophoresis / Waste Water Technology / Water Management / Water Pollution Control