Sains Malaysiana 46(9)(2017): 1597–1602

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2017-4609-31

 

The Effect of Smartphone's Radiation Frequency and Exposure Duration on NADPH Oxidase 5 (NOX5) Level in Sperm Parameters

(Kesan Frekuensi Radiasi Telefon Pintar dan Tempoh Pendedahan ke atas Peringkat NADPH

Oksidase 5 (NOX5) dalam Parameter Sperma)

 

NORAZURASHIMA JAMALUDIN*, SYAWAL SHAFIE ABDUL RAZAK, FARAH HANAN FATHIHAH JAFFAR, KHAIRUL OSMAN & SITI FATIMAH IBRAHIM

 

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

 

Received: 19 December 2016/Accepted: 17 March 2017

 

 

ABSTRACT

Health hazard through smart phone radiation has been associated with male infertility. The suspected prime mediator is the NOX5 enzyme. When activated, the additional pathway for free radical production will damage sperm's DNA. However, conclusive evidence is still lacking. Thus, this study was conducted to comprehend the detrimental effect of the radiation towards sperm parameters by using rat as a model. Parameters measured include sperm concentration, viability, DNA damage status and NOX5 level on sperm. This study consisted of two phases. The first phase was conducted to determine the optimal radiation frequency emitted from the smart phone. The radiation frequencies that were evaluated were 0 MHz (control), 4200 MHz without multiple connection mode (minimum frequency) and 9700 MHZ with multiple connection modes (maximum frequency). Each exposure setting represented one group. Each group consists of eight rats, which received exposure for 6 h/day for two consecutive weeks. All parameters measured showed significant differences. Optimum frequency for significant changes to sperm parameters were identified as the minimum frequency. Second part of the research involved the determination of optimum exposure duration. The optimal frequency obtained was used in combination with exposure duration of 0 h (control), 2, 4 and 6 h. Each group had 8 rats and exposure was conducted for 2 weeks. The results showed a significant difference for all parameters following 4 h of exposure. Following this, evaluation of DNA damage status through NOX5 activity was done by using the optimum setting where 0 MHz/0 h as a control and 4200 MHz/4 h per day for up to 2 weeks. The results showed significant differences of NOX5 fluorescent intensity between the two groups. In conclusion, although smart phone emitted low radiation, it can decrease sperm concentration, viability and increase DNA damage through ROS production. NOX5 pathway has been proven to be the likely pathway of ROS induced RF-EMW.

 

Keywords: DNA damage; sperm concentration; smart phone; NOX5; viability

 

ABSTRAK

Bahaya kesihatan melalui radiasi telefon pintar telah dikaitkan dengan ketidaksuburan lelaki. Pengantara utama yang terlibat adalah NOX5, enzim yang mungkin menjadi tapak jalan tambahan dalam pengeluaran radikal bebas yang merosakkan DNA sperma. Walau bagaimanapun, bukti kukuh masih tidak mencukupi. Oleh itu, kajian ini dijalankan untuk memahami kesan buruk radiasi terhadap parameter sperma dengan menggunakan tikus sebagai model. Parameter yang diukur adalah termasuk kepekatan sperma, viabiliti, status kerosakan DNA dan aktiviti NOX5 pada spermatozoa. Kajian ini terdiri daripada dua fasa. Fasa pertama dijalankan untuk menentukan frekuensi optimum yang dipancarkan daripada telefon pintar. Frekuensi radiasi yang dinilai ialah 0 MHz (kawalan), 4200 MHz tanpa mod berbilang sambungan (frekuensi minimum) dan 9700 MHZ dengan mod sambungan pelbagai (frekuensi maksimum). Setiap frekuensi mewakili satu kumpulan. Setiap kumpulan terdiri daripada lapan tikus dengan pendedahan dilakukan selama 6 jam/hari selama dua minggu berturut-turut. Semua parameter yang diukur menunjukkan perbezaan yang signifikan antara kumpulan. Frekuensi optimum yang diperoleh adalah frekuensi minimum. Fasa kedua bagi kajian ini adalah menentukan masa pendedahan optimum. Frekuensi optimum yang diperoleh sebelumnya didedahkan menggunakan sela masa 0 jam (kawalan), 2, 4 dan 6 jam. Setiap kumpulan mempunyai 8 tikus dan pendedahan telah dilakukan selama 2 minggu. Hasil menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan bagi semua parameter selepas pendedahan selama 4 jam. Berikutan itu, penilaian status kerosakan DNA melalui aktiviti NOX5 telah dilakukan dengan menggunakan frekuensi optimum dengan 0 MHz/0 jam sebagai kawalan dan 4200 MHz/4 jam setiap hari sehingga 2 minggu. Hasil kajian menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan aktiviti NOX5 yang signifikan antara kedua-dua kumpulan. Kesimpulannya, walaupun telefon pintar memancarkan radiasi yang rendah, ia boleh mengurangkan kepekatan sperma, kebolehhidupan dan meningkatkan kerosakan DNA melalui penghasilan ROS. Tapak jalan NOX5 terbukti sebagai punca penghasilan ROS teraruh RF-EMW.

 

Kata kunci: Kebolehhidupan; kepekatan sperma; kerosakan DNA; NOX5; telefon pintar

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*Corresponding author; email: amihs_nuc@yahoo.com