The Effect of 2.45 GHz Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation on Components of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis in Male Rats

PAPER manual Int J Mol Sci 2026 Animal study Effect: mixed Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.3390/ijms27104582 PMID: 42196560 Evidence Lab

Abstract

The brain and testes are connected via the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Both are vulnerable to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR). However, no comprehensive study had evaluated the effects of RF-EMR on key hormones along this axis. Hereby, this study evaluated the effect of RF-EMR on the hormonal changes along the axis, including the neuropeptide kisspeptin. A total of 18 (N = 18) adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (n = 6): Control, 4 h, and 24 h. The Control group was sham-exposed to an inactive router. The exposed groups were subjected to 2.45 GHz RF-EMR for 4 and 24 h daily, for 60 days at a 20 cm distance. The power density was 0.141 W/m2 with a whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.41 W/kg. No significant changes were observed in hypothalamic Kiss1 gene expression or serum kisspeptin levels. GnRH levels increased significantly in both exposed groups, while FSH and LH remained unchanged. Testicular testosterone was significantly reduced in the 24 h group, while serum testosterone was elevated in the 24 h group compared to the 4 h group. In conclusion, prolonged 2.45 GHz RF-EMR exposure caused selective changes in components of the HPG axis, particularly involving GnRH and testosterone, suggesting potential endocrine effects on male reproductive regulation.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

mixed

Population

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats

Sample size

Exposure

RF inactive/router exposure setup; 2.45 GHz RF-EMR · 2450 MHz · 0.41 W/kg · 4 or 24 h daily for 60 days at 20 cm distance

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 90% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

No significant changes were observed in hypothalamic Kiss1 gene expression or serum kisspeptin. GnRH increased significantly in both exposed groups, while FSH and LH were unchanged. Testicular testosterone was significantly reduced in the 24 h group, and serum testosterone was elevated in the 24 h group compared with the 4 h group.

Outcomes measured

Hypothalamic Kiss1 gene expression
Serum kisspeptin levels
GnRH levels
FSH levels
LH levels
Testicular testosterone
Serum testosterone

Limitations

Animal study in rats; direct applicability to humans is not established in the abstract.
Small sample size: 18 rats total, 6 per group.
Abstract reports selective hormonal changes, with some endpoints unchanged and testosterone findings differing by tissue/serum comparison.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "inactive/router exposure setup; 2.45 GHz RF-EMR",
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": 0.409999999999999975575093458246556110680103302001953125,
        "duration": "4 or 24 h daily for 60 days at 20 cm distance"
    },
    "population": "Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats",
    "sample_size": 18,
    "outcomes": [
        "Hypothalamic Kiss1 gene expression",
        "Serum kisspeptin levels",
        "GnRH levels",
        "FSH levels",
        "LH levels",
        "Testicular testosterone",
        "Serum testosterone"
    ],
    "main_findings": "No significant changes were observed in hypothalamic Kiss1 gene expression or serum kisspeptin. GnRH increased significantly in both exposed groups, while FSH and LH were unchanged. Testicular testosterone was significantly reduced in the 24 h group, and serum testosterone was elevated in the 24 h group compared with the 4 h group.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Animal study in rats; direct applicability to humans is not established in the abstract.",
        "Small sample size: 18 rats total, 6 per group.",
        "Abstract reports selective hormonal changes, with some endpoints unchanged and testosterone findings differing by tissue/serum comparison."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "2.45 GHz",
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation",
        "RF-EMR",
        "HPG axis",
        "male reproduction",
        "rats",
        "kisspeptin",
        "GnRH",
        "testosterone",
        "SAR"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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