Protective effects of selenium on electromagnetic field-induced apoptosis, aromatase P450 activity, and leptin receptor expression in rat testis

Electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted by mobiles may affect the male reproductive system. Selenium, as an antioxidant, may protect against electromagnetic field-induced tissue damage. Theis study aimed to investigate the effects of selenium on rat testis exposed to electromagnetic fields.

Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, namely EM group (2100 MHZ), EM/SE group (2100 MHZ + selenium (0.2 mg/kg), SE group (selenium 0.2 mg/kg), CONT (control group). Serum LH, FSH, testosterone, leptin and aromatase levels, testis weight and volume index, sperm parameters (count and abnormal percent), seminiferous tubule diam eters, germinal epithelia thickness, immunoreactivity of leptin receptor and caspase-3 (for apoptotic cells in germinal epithelium) were investigated.

Our results showed that serum LH, FSH, GnRH, testosterone level, sperm count, germinal epithelium thickness, and seminiferous tubule diameter were significantly declined in the EM group compared with the CONT group (P<0.05). However, in the EM group, the serum leptin level, sperm abnormality, aromatase enzyme level, apoptotic cells, and leptin receptor were increased compared with the CONT group (P<0.05). Furthermore, an increase in sperm count, germinal epithelium thickness, seminiferous diameters, serum LH, FSH, and GnRH, and testosterone levels, and a significant decrease in sperm abnormality, leptin receptor and apoptotic cells in the EM/SE group compared with the EM group were also observed (P<0.05).

This study showed that electromagnetic radiation may have detrimental impacts on the male reproductive system, which can be prevented by use of selenium.