Simultaneous Effects of Exposure to Microwaves and Noise on Male Rats’ Sperm Parameters and Total Antioxidant Capacity

Background: There is currently great concern about the possible adverse effect of microwave radiation from cell phones. In addition, noise is one of the physical pollutants of modern societies.

Objectives: The present study aimed to examine the separate and simultaneous effects of cell phone microwaves, noise, and their effects on sperm parameters and total antioxidant capacity in adult male rats.

Material and Methods: An experimental study was conducted on 28 Wistar adult male rats (200 - 250 g). Randomly selected animals were divided into four groups; control (C), microwave (M), noise (N), and noise plus microwave (NM) groups. In all groups, a sperm analysis was performed based on World Health Organization (WHO) standards and the mean of the sperms’ total antioxidant capacity was determined by a Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP) assay. The data were analyzed by a one way ANOVA statistical technique, followed by a Tukey’s test using SPSS (version 16) software and P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The findings of the study demonstrated that sperm viability and motility, in the exposure to cell phone waves group (group 2) and the simultaneous exposure to cell phone waves and noise group (group 4), decreased significantly compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the total antioxidant capacity of sperm in all exposure groups decreased significantly compared to the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Exposure to cell phone waves can decrease sperm viability and motility in adult male rats. These waves can also lower rat sperms’ total antioxidant capacity which results in oxidative stress. Exposure to severe noise levels can cause a significant decrease in the total antioxidant capacity of sperm in adult male rats, resulting in oxidative stress.