Mobile phone (1800 MHz) radiation impairs female reproduction in mice, Mus musculus, through stress induced inhibition of ovarian and uterine activity

- Mice exposed to mobile phone radiation (MPR) in different operative modes.
- Ovarian & uterine histopathology, steroidogenesis & stress parameters were checked.
- Degenerative changes & reduced follicle count were observed in MPR exposed ovary.
- MPR resulted significant decrease in ovarian steroidogenic proteins & sex steroids.
- MPR induced oxidative & nitrosative stress impairs reproductive functions in mice.

Present study investigated the long-term effects of mobile phone (1800 MHz) radiation in stand-by, dialing and receiving modes on the female reproductive function (ovarian and uterine histo-architecture, and steroidogenesis) and stress responses (oxidative and nitrosative stress). We observed that mobile phone radiation induces significant elevation in ROS, NO, lipid peroxidation, total carbonyl content and serum corticosterone coupled with significant decrease in antioxidant enzymes in hypothalamus, ovary and uterus of mice. Compared to control group, exposed mice exhibited reduced number of developing and mature follicles as well as corpus lutea. Significantly decreased serum levels of pituitary gonadotrophins (LH, FSH), sex steroids (E2 and P4) and expression of SF-1, StAR, P-450scc, 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD, cytochrome P-450 aromatase, ER-α and ER-β were observed in all the exposed groups of mice, compared to control. These findings suggest that mobile phone radiation induces oxidative and nitrosative stress, which affects the reproductive performance of female mice.