extremely low frequency-electromagnetic fields (elf-emf) can decrease spermatocyte count and motility and change testicular tissue

Background: substantial evidence indicates that exposure to extremely low frequency-electromagnetic fields (elf-emfs) affects male reproductive system. objective: the goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term irradiation with elf-emf on sperm quality and quantity and testicular structure.material and methods: in this case-control study, sixty male sprague-dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups. experimental groups were exposed to elf-emf (50 hz emf, 100 µt) for either 1 h/day for 52 days (group 1), 4 h/day for 52 days (group 3), 1 h/day for 5 days (group 5), 4 h/day for 52 days (group 7). groups 2, 4, 6 and 8 were only sham exposed at durations equal to groups 1, 3, 5 and 7, respectively. results: both count and motility of sperms were significantly decreased in animals exposed to elf-emf (1 h/day for 52 days, 4 h/day for 52 day, and 4 h/day for 5 days) compared to the sham-exposed groups (p<0.05). serum testosterone levels showed a significant decrease in the animals exposed to elf-emf (4 h/day for 5 days) compared to the control groups (p<0.05). a significant decrease was observed in the volume of the seminiferous tubules, seminiferous tubules epithelium and interstitial tissue in the animals exposed to elf-emf for 4 h/day for 5 days. tubules length was also reduced by 18% in animals exposed to elf-emf (4 h/day for 5 days).  conclusion: our results show that elf-emf can reduce spermatocyte count and motility and is able to induce structural changes in testicular tissue.