Abstract
Advancements in telecommunication sector result in increasing exposure to electromagnetic (EM) radiation, which has been correlated with incidence of male infertility. Therefore, the present study focused on analyzing the consequence of EM radiation (2115 MHz) exposure on the reproductive system of male Wistar rats. Besides, the antioxidant protective effect of Punica granatum juice was also evaluated. For experimental analysis, rats were divided into five groups (control, sham exposed, exposed, herbal plus exposed, and herbal only). Individual group consisted of 6 rats which were exposed to radiation for 45 days (2 h/day). The herbal-treated groups were given 1 ml of Punica granatum extract orally. Various parameters such as organ to body ratio, sperm count, motility, viability, and testis histopathology were studied. Furthermore, oxidative stress parameters and free radical generation were analyzed. The exposed group showed changes in sperm parameters along with decrease in seminiferous tubule diameter. On the contrary, herbal-exposed group showed enhanced sperm count, increased motility, and viability in comparison to exposed group. Histopathology studies also revealed the protective role of herbal juice. Significant alteration in oxidative parameters along with an enhanced free radical generation in exposed group and reduction in herbal groups was observed. The results thus indicate that continuous exposure to EM radiation can lead to oxidative stress which induces biochemical changes in rat sperms. However, Punica granatum extract has a protective role against oxidative damage induced by EM radiation.
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