Journal of Occupational
Health and Epidemiology
Rafsanjan university Of medical sciences
Volume 15, Issue 1 (Winter 2026)
J Occup Health Epidemiol 2026, 15(1): 78-88 |
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Ethics code: IR.AJUMS.REC.1404.117
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Tabanfar S, Fouladi Dehaghi B, Sobhani S. The Impact of Radiofrequency Exposure on Reproductive Health in Mice and Rats: A Systematic Review. J Occup Health Epidemiol 2026; 15 (1) :78-88
URL: http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-1062-en.html
URL: http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-1062-en.html
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1- Ph.D. Student in Occupational Health and Safety, Dept. of Occupational Safety and Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
2- Professor, Dept. of Occupational Safety and Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
3- Ph.D. Student in Occupational Health and Safety, Dept. of Occupational Safety and Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. ,seyvan.sobhani21@gmail.com
2- Professor, Dept. of Occupational Safety and Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
3- Ph.D. Student in Occupational Health and Safety, Dept. of Occupational Safety and Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. ,
Article history
Received: 2025/06/20
Accepted: 2025/09/14
ePublished: 2026/03/30
Accepted: 2025/09/14
ePublished: 2026/03/30
Subject:
Occupational Health
Abstract: (15 Views)
Background: In recent decades, growing concerns have emerged considering the decline in human fertility rates. Exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields has been proposed as a potential risk factor. This systematic review examines in vivo studies exploring the association between RF radiation exposure and reproductive health in mice and rats.
Materials and Methods: Based on PRISMA protocol a comprehensive search was undertaken in ISI Web of Science, MEDLINE–PubMed, and Scopus to August 2024. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 36 (26 in male, 6 in female, 4 in both) out of 1470 identified articles were selected for analysis.
Results: The majority of studies reported adverse reproductive effects, especially in male mice and rats, including reduced sperm quality, histopathological testicular damage, oxidative stress, and hormonal disturbances. Key mechanisms included oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Studies in female mice and rats were limited but indicated potential risks for pregnancy outcomes (e.g., diminished infant size, fetal abnormalities). Nevertheless, 8 of studies found no significant effects.
Conclusion: Current evidence suggests that RF-EMF may adversely affect the male reproductive system, while findings concerning its influence on female reproductive health remain inconsistent and require further investigation. Substantial methodological heterogeneity in exposure parameters—including frequency, duration, distance, SAR, and exposure type (whole-body vs. localized), animal models used, and specific characteristics of RF sources—impaired direct comparability across studies. Future studies should apply standardized exposure paradigms, advanced molecular techniques, and long-term assessments to elucidate the reproductive risks of RF radiation and their relevance to human health to enable more robust risk assessments.
Materials and Methods: Based on PRISMA protocol a comprehensive search was undertaken in ISI Web of Science, MEDLINE–PubMed, and Scopus to August 2024. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 36 (26 in male, 6 in female, 4 in both) out of 1470 identified articles were selected for analysis.
Results: The majority of studies reported adverse reproductive effects, especially in male mice and rats, including reduced sperm quality, histopathological testicular damage, oxidative stress, and hormonal disturbances. Key mechanisms included oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Studies in female mice and rats were limited but indicated potential risks for pregnancy outcomes (e.g., diminished infant size, fetal abnormalities). Nevertheless, 8 of studies found no significant effects.
Conclusion: Current evidence suggests that RF-EMF may adversely affect the male reproductive system, while findings concerning its influence on female reproductive health remain inconsistent and require further investigation. Substantial methodological heterogeneity in exposure parameters—including frequency, duration, distance, SAR, and exposure type (whole-body vs. localized), animal models used, and specific characteristics of RF sources—impaired direct comparability across studies. Future studies should apply standardized exposure paradigms, advanced molecular techniques, and long-term assessments to elucidate the reproductive risks of RF radiation and their relevance to human health to enable more robust risk assessments.
Keywords: Radiofrequency [MeSH], Oxidative Stress [MeSH], Reproduction [MeSH], Non-Ionizing Radiation [MeSH]
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