Effects of experimental low dose electromagnetic field on rat testis and semen tissues and investigation of antioxidant role of caffeic acid phenethyl ester

INTRODUCTION: Low-dose electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure has been reported to play a role in male infertility as a result of increasing oxidative stress markers. The potential protective effects of antioxidants on oxidative stress induced by low-dose electromagnetic wave have been shown in the studies The effects of low dose electromagnetic field on testis and semen tissues and the protective role of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar Albino rats were divided into 4 groups as control, EMF, EMF+CAPE, CAPE (n=8). No substance could be applied to the control group. EMF group received 900 MHz electromagnetic field for 1 hour per day. EMF + CAPE group was treated with ip 10 mikromol/kg CAPE before 1 hour EMF exposure. CAPE group was given 10 mikromol/kg CAPE. At the end of the experiment, biochemical analyzes of blood and testes and histological analysis of testes and semen tissues were performed. RESULTS: Histopathological degenerations due to EMF exposure in testicle, concentration and progresive motility decrease in semen and head anomaly in sperm morphology were determined. By flow cytometry analysis, percentage of DNA damage was higher in EMF group. CAPE has been found to reduce these damages. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of glutathion peroxidase, total antioxidant status, superoxide dismutase, total thiol in serum. In the EMF group, serum testosterone levels were low and total oxidative status, oxidative stress index and malondialdehyde levels were found to be high. While no significant difference was observed in superoxide dismutase level in the testicle, total oxidative status, oxidative stress index and malondialdehyde levels of CAPE group and total antioxidant status level were found to be high. CONCLUSION: The oxidative stress induced by EMF was corrected histologically and biochemically by CAPE in serum and testis tissues. Key Words: Electromagnetic field, oxidative stress, testis, semen, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, flow cytometry.