Amelioration and Immuno-modulation by Ashwagandha on Wi-fi Induced Oxidative Stress in

Abstract

Amelioration and Immuno-modulation by Ashwagandha on Wi-fi Induced Oxidative Stress in Regulating Reproduction Via Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Male Japanese Quail Gupta V, Srivastava R. Amelioration and Immuno-modulation by Ashwagandha on Wi-fi Induced Oxidative Stress in Regulating Reproduction Via Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Male Japanese Quail. Reprod Sci. 2025 Jan 13. doi: 10.1007/s43032-024-01774-7. Abstract As global change threatens avian biodiversity, understanding species responses to environmental perturbations due to radiation emitted by enormous increase in the application of wireless communication is very urgent. The study investigates the effect of MW radiation on redox balance, stress level, male fertility and the efficacy of Withania somnifera (WS) root extract (100 mg/kg body weight) orally administered in 8 weeks old mature male Japanese quail exposed to 2.4 GHz MW radiation for 2 h/day for 30 days with power density = 0.1264 mw/cm2 and SAR = 0.9978 W/Kg. Wi-fi exposure induces a decrease in testicular weight, volume, density and gonado-somatic index (GSI) while Ashwagandha increases them. Oxidative stress parameters increased and activity of SOD, catalase, GSH was reduced in testes of exposed quail while Ashwagandha treatment reinstates the redox balance. Exposure to Wi-fi alters quail reproduction by increase in corticosterone and decreased testosterone with reduced expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in testis. Wi-fi exposure increases IL1β and reduces IL10 in testis. IL-1β inhibits testicular cell function and promotes apoptosis by increasing NF-κB and decreasing sperm count in exposed quails. Ashwagandha increases expression of ERα, sperm count and immunity in quail testis. Further, decrease in IL1β, NF-κB and increase in IL-10 after administration of Ashwagandha in Wi-fi exposed quail prevents inflammatory damages and enhances gonadal function. Thus, exposure to Wi-fi increases oxidative stress, activates apoptosis, modulates immunity in testis while Ashwagandha reverses them via enhanced ERα expression, increase in sperm count thereby enhancing fertility in male Japanese quail. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Male Japanese quail exposed to 2.4 GHz Wi-fi/microwave radiation (2 h/day for 30 days; power density 0.1264 mW/cm2; SAR 0.9978 W/kg) showed decreased testicular metrics (weight, volume, density, GSI), increased oxidative stress with reduced SOD/catalase/GSH, increased corticosterone, decreased testosterone, reduced ERα expression, increased IL-1β with reduced IL-10, increased NF-κB, and decreased sperm count. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract (100 mg/kg) administered orally was reported to reverse or ameliorate these changes and improve immune/inflammatory markers and sperm count in exposed quail.

Outcomes measured

• testicular weight
• testicular volume
• testicular density
• gonado-somatic index (GSI)
• oxidative stress parameters
• SOD activity
• catalase activity
• GSH
• corticosterone
• testosterone
• estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) expression in testis
• IL-1β in testis
• IL-10 in testis
• NF-κB
• sperm count
• apoptosis
• male fertility/gonadal function

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata
• Study is in an animal model (male Japanese quail), limiting direct generalizability to humans
• Exposure described as Wi-fi/microwave radiation; details of exposure setup beyond frequency, duration, power density, and SAR are not provided in the abstract

Suggested hubs

• school-wi-fi (0.55)
  Study explicitly investigates Wi-fi (2.4 GHz) exposure effects, though in an animal model rather than a school setting.

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    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": "wi-fi",
        "frequency_mhz": 2400,
        "sar_wkg": 0.9978000000000000202504679691628552973270416259765625,
        "duration": "2 h/day for 30 days"
    },
    "population": "8 weeks old mature male Japanese quail",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "testicular weight",
        "testicular volume",
        "testicular density",
        "gonado-somatic index (GSI)",
        "oxidative stress parameters",
        "SOD activity",
        "catalase activity",
        "GSH",
        "corticosterone",
        "testosterone",
        "estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) expression in testis",
        "IL-1β in testis",
        "IL-10 in testis",
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    "main_findings": "Male Japanese quail exposed to 2.4 GHz Wi-fi/microwave radiation (2 h/day for 30 days; power density 0.1264 mW/cm2; SAR 0.9978 W/kg) showed decreased testicular metrics (weight, volume, density, GSI), increased oxidative stress with reduced SOD/catalase/GSH, increased corticosterone, decreased testosterone, reduced ERα expression, increased IL-1β with reduced IL-10, increased NF-κB, and decreased sperm count. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract (100 mg/kg) administered orally was reported to reverse or ameliorate these changes and improve immune/inflammatory markers and sperm count in exposed quail.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata",
        "Study is in an animal model (male Japanese quail), limiting direct generalizability to humans",
        "Exposure described as Wi-fi/microwave radiation; details of exposure setup beyond frequency, duration, power density, and SAR are not provided in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
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        "Withania somnifera",
        "Ashwagandha",
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}

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