Highlights

• Circadian disruption disrupts photoperiodic time measurement and seasonal adaptations.

•Light at night disrupts reproduction, immune function and metabolism, a crucial proxy for fitness.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105150

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Abstract

Sleep is vital to human bodily function. Growing evidence indicates that sleep deprivation, disruption, dysrhythmia, and disorders are associated with impaired reproductive function and poor clinical outcomes in women. These associations are largely mediated by molecular-genetic and hormonal pathways, which are crucial for the complex and time sensitive processes of hormone synthesis/secretion, folliculogenesis, ovulation, fertilization, implantation, and menstruation. Pathologic sleep patterns are closely linked to menstrual irregularity, polycystic ovarian syndrome, premature ovarian insufficiency, sub/infertility, and early pregnancy loss. Measures of success with assisted reproductive technology are also lower among women who engage in shift work, or experience sleep disruption or short sleep duration. Extremes of sleep duration, poor sleep quality, sleep disordered breathing, and shift work are also associated with several harmful conditions in pregnancy, including gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders. While accumulating evidence implicates pathologic sleep patterns in impaired reproductive function and poor reproductive outcomes, additional research is needed to determine causality and propose therapeutic interventions.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35042515/

© 2022. The Author(s).

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Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from various wireless devices has increased dramatically with the advancement of technology. One of the most vulnerable organs to the RF-EMR is the testes. This is due to the fact that testicular tissues are more susceptible to oxidative stress due to a high rate of cell division and mitochondrial oxygen consumption. As a result of extensive cell proliferation, replication errors occur, resulting in DNA fragmentation in the sperm. While high oxygen consumption increases the level of oxidative phosphorylation by-products (free radicals) in the mitochondria. Furthermore, due to its inability to effectively dissipate excess heat, testes are also susceptible to thermal effects from RF-EMR exposure. As a result, people are concerned about its impact on male reproductive function. The aim of this article was to conduct a review of literature on the effects of RF-EMR emitted by wireless devices on male reproductive hormones in experimental animals and humans. According to the findings of the studies, RF-EMR emitted by mobile phones and Wi-Fi devices can cause testosterone reduction. However, the effect on gonadotrophic hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone) is inconclusive. These findings were influenced by several factors, which can influence energy absorption and the biological effect of RF-EMR. The effect of RF-EMR in the majority of animal and human studies appeared to be related to the duration of mobile phone use. Thus, limiting the use of wireless devices is recommended.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.732420/full

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Abstract

Hypogonadism is an endocrine disorder characterized by inadequate serum testosterone production by the Leydig cells of the testis. It is triggered by alterations in the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is another common disorder in men that involves an alteration in erectile response–organic, relational, or psychological. The incidence of hypogonadism and ED is common in men aged over 40 years. Hypogonadism (including late-onset hypogonadism) and ED may be linked to several environmental factors-induced oxidative stresses. The factors mainly include exposure to pesticides, radiation, air pollution, heavy metals and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These environmental risk factors may induce oxidative stress and lead to hormonal dysfunctions. To better understand the subject, the study used many keywords, including “hypogonadism”, “late-onset hypogonadism”, “testosterone”, “erectile dysfunction”, “reactive oxygen species”, “oxidative stress”, and “environmental pollution” in major online databases, such as SCOPUS and PUBMED to extract relevant scientific information. Based on these parameters, this review summarizes a comprehensive insight into the important environmental issues that may have a direct or indirect association with hypogonadism and ED in men. The study concludes that environmental factors-induced oxidative stress may cause infertility in men. The hypothesis and outcomes were reviewed critically, and the mechanistic approaches are applied through oxidant-sensitive pathways. This study also provides recommendations on future therapeutic interventions and protective measures against such adverse environmental factors-induced hypogonadism and ED.

Extract

7. Conclusions

Proper functioning of the HPG axis is crucial for reproductive wellbeing. It is regulated by a complex interplay of neural, hormonal and metabolic signals, which may be disrupted by age-related hormone deficiency and environmental toxicants, including pesticides, radiations, air pollutants and plastic-originated agents and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals induced oxidative stress [44]. These disturbances may lead to impaired sexual potency, eventually causing disruption of psychological health in affected males. These environmental issues that may remain cryptic at times may become major mediators in the etiological context of LOH [80]. In conclusion, the present review attempts to identify the important environmental issues that may have a direct or indirect association with clinical hypogonadism and ED in men. The review also aims to incorporate the important environmental factors, such as pesticides, radiations, air pollution, plastic-originated agents, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals, into the routine workup algorithm of clinicians to manage such patients, who may benefit.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128012994000165

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Abstract

An electromagnetic field (EMF) may affect the functions of uterine tissues. This study hypothesized that EMF changes the estrogenic activity of pig myometrium during the peri-implantation period. Tissue was collected on days 15–16 of the gestation and incubated in the presence of EMF (50 and 120 Hz, 2 and 4 h). The cytochrome P450 aromatase type 3 (CYP19A3) and hydroxysteroid 17β dehydrogenase type 4 (HSD17B4) mRNA transcript abundance, cytochrome P450arom (aromatase), and 17β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 17βHSD) protein abundance and estrone (E₁) and estradiol-17β (E₂) release were examined using Real-Time PCR, Western blot and radioimmunoassay. Selected myometrial slices were treated with progesterone (P₄) to determine whether it functions as a protector against EMF. CYP19A3 mRNA transcript abundance in slices treated with EMF was less at 50 Hz (2 h) and greater at 120 Hz (2 and 4 h). HSD17B4 mRNA transcript was greater in slices treated with EMF at 120 Hz (2 h). Progesterone diminished EMF-related effects on CYP19A3 and HSD17B4. When P₄ was added, EMF had suppressive (50 and 120 Hz, 2 h) or enhancing (50 Hz, 4 h) effects on aromatase abundance. The E₁ release was lower after 4 h of EMF treatment at 50 Hz and P₄ did not protect myometrial E₁ release. In conclusion, EMF alters the synthesis and release of E₁ and did not affect E₂ release in the myometrium during the peri-implantation period.

5. Conclusions

In the myometrial tissue of pigs during the peri-implantation period, EMF treatment affects the potential for the synthesis of estrogens. The consequences of EMF radiation in the myometrium may depend on the basal tissue potential for the production of estrogens. The inclusion of P₄ in the culture medium diminishes most of the observed EMF treatment-related effects on the level of transcriptional processes that result in the production of mRNA transcripts for these steroidogenic enzymes in the myometrium of pigs. On the contrary, on the level of translation processes that result in protein synthesis, P₄ may sensitize myometrium to EMF radiation. Importantly, EMF at a low frequency of 50 Hz decreases myometrial E₁ release after a relatively long (4 h) treatment duration, with or without the P₄ inclusion and does not alter E₂ release. In the pig myometrium, EMF leads to lowered E₁ release. Thus, this study provides evidence that EMF can be recognized as a potent disruptor of steroidogenesis in the uterus of females during the peri-implantation period.

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/6/2920/htm

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Abstract

Study question: Is circadian desynchrony a risk factor of male reproductive damage in semen parameters and/or reproductive hormones?

Summary answer: Circadian desynchrony correlates with decrease of sperm count, which was improved when circadian desynchrony was attenuated.

What is known already: Circadian desynchrony caused by work (shift work) and non-work-related reasons is prevalent worldwide and has been found to be associated with decreased female fertility, but whether it harms male reproductive health is unclear.

Extract:

Limitations, reasons for caution: The study of human beings was observational while the animal study has potential difference in circadian desynchrony exposure and species susceptibility. Further researches are needed to clarify the causal relationship in men.

Wider implications of the findings: These findings provide novel insight to the effect of circadian desynchrony on male reproductive health and a potential strategy for prevention of reproductive damage.

© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32619235/

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Abstract

Various responses to non-thermal microwaves (MW) from mobile communication including adverse health effects related to electrohypersensitivity, cancer risks, neurological effects, and reproductive impacts have been reported while some studies reported no such effects. This presentation provides an overview of the complex dependence of the MW effects on various physical and biological variables, which account for, at least partially, an apparent inconsistence in the published data. Among other variables, dependencies on carrier frequency, polarization, modulation, intermittence, electromagnetic stray fields, genotype, physiological traits, and cell density during exposure were reported. Nowadays, biological and health effects of 5G communication, which will use microwaves of extremely high frequencies (millimeter waves MMW, wavelength 1- 10 mm), are of significant public concern. It follows from available studies that MMW, under specific conditions of exposure at very low intensities below the ICNIRP guidelines, can affect biological systems and human health. Both positive and negative effects were observed in dependence on exposure parameters. In particular, MMW inhibited repair of DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation at specific frequencies and polarizations. To what extend the 5G technology and the Internet of Things will affect the biota and human health is definitely not known. However, based on possible fundamental role of MMW in regulation of homeostasis and almost complete absence of MMW in atmosphere due to effective absorption, which suggests the lack of adaptation to this type of radiation, the health effects of chronic MMW exposures may be more significant than for any other frequency range.

Published in: 2019 14th International Conference on Advanced Technologies, Systems and Services in Telecommunications (TELSIKS)

Date of Conference: 23-25 Oct. 2019

DOI: 10.1109/TELSIKS46999.2019.9002324

Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 20 February 2020

Publisher: IEEE

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Abstract

The interplay between genetic and environmental risk factors contributes to the pathogenesis of metabolic disease. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine and metabolic disorder in women of reproductive age. Circadian rhythm disruption is an important risk factor for PCOS. In this study, we evaluated the effect of circadian disorder on reproduction as well as metabolism, and determined its influence on gut microbiota in a rat model. Female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were kept under continuous light exposure (12-h:12-h light/light cycle, L/L group) or a control cycle (12-h:12-h light/dark cycle, L/D group) for four consecutive weeks. Manifestations in endocrine hormones and metabolism were detected and gut microbiota were analyzed with the 16s rRNA gene sequencing technique. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report PCOS-like reproductive manifestation, such as anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) elevation induced by continuous light exposure. Moreover, continuous light resulted in abnormal glucose metabolism and gut microbial community variations, including enrichment of the microbial genus of Parasutterella and reduced abundance of genus Corynebacterium, genus Odoribacter, and genus Acinetobacter. Increased Parasutterella abundance was positively correlated with serum testosterone level. A PICRUSt analysis revealed that reproductive and metabolic-related genes were enriched in rats of L/D group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that continuous light exposure, an important environmental factor, contributes to the occurrence and developmental progress of PCOS and changes in microbial component and structure. Continuous light exposure is one of vital causes of PCOS, which is closely related to microbial structure and functions.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2019.03145/full

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Read more at https://www.who.int/peh-emf/research/rf_ehc_page/en/index1.html

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2019 Volume 248 Issue 3 Pages 169-179

https://doi.org/10.1620/tjem.248.169

Abstract

Extensive use of Wi-Fi has contributed to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) pollution in environment. Various studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of RF-EMR emitted by Wi-Fi transmitter on male reproduction health. However, there are conflicting findings between studies. Thus, this review aims to elucidate the possible effects of 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi exposure on both animal and human male reproductive system. A computerized database search performed through MEDLINE via Ovid and PUBMED with the following set of keywords: ‘Wi-Fi or WiFi or wireless fidelity or Wi-Fi router or WiFi router or electromagnetic or radiofrequency radiation’ AND ‘sperm or spermatozoa or spermatogenesis or semen or seminal plasma or testes or testis or testosterone or male reproduction’ had returned 526 articles. Only 17 studies conformed to pre-set inclusion criterion. Additional records identified through Google Scholar and reviewed article further revealed six eligible articles. A total of 23 articles were used for data extraction, including 15 studies on rats, three studies on mice, and five studies on human health. Sperm count, motility and DNA integrity were the most affected parameters when exposed to RF-EMR emitted by Wi-Fi transmitter. Unfortunately, sperm viability and morphology were inconclusive. Structural and/or physiological analyses of the testes showed degenerative changes, reduced testosterone level, increased apoptotic cells, and DNA damage. These effects were mainly due to the elevation of testicular temperature and oxidative stress activity. In conclusion, exposure towards 2.45 GHz RF-EMR emitted by Wi-Fi transmitter is hazardous on the male reproductive system.

© 2019 Tohoku University Medical Press

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