Does Exposure of Smart Phones during Pregnancy Affect the Offspring's Ovarian Reserve? A Rat Model Study

Fetal Pediatr Pathol. 2021 Apr;40(2):142-152. doi: 10.1080/15513815.2019.1692112. Epub 2019 Dec 10.

Abstract

We investigated the effect of prenatal exposure to smart phone radiation and the protective effect of omega-3 on ovarian reserve of offspring. Methods: 24 pregnant Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Group-I received neither radiofrequency (RF) radiation nor omega-3, group-II received RF, group-III received RF radiation and 300 mg omega-3 and group-IV received RF radiation and 600 mg Omega-3 till birth. At 42 days, bilateral oophorectomy was performed on all female offspring for follicle count and immunohistochemical staining (GDF9, FOXO1 and TUNEL). Results: Group-II had significantly lower mean number of primordial (p = 0.006), secondary follicles(p = 0.003) and a higher atresia score. Group-III variables were comparable with group-I variables. Group-IV had statistically higher median number of atretic follicles than group-I (p = 0.023). Conclusions: Ovarian reserve of offspring diminished with RF exposure during pregnancy. Omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the potential premature ovarian failure.

Keywords: Radiofrequency radiation; ovarian reserve; pregnancy; smartphones.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Ovarian Follicle
  • Ovarian Reserve*
  • Ovary
  • Pregnancy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Smartphone