Background: pregnant women are at high risk of exposure to environmental EMR because of their higher oxygen consumption and amniotic fluid-induced ROS, which is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Objective: The present study was designed to demonstrate the effects of EMR exposure at 900, 1800, and 2450 MHz on the female sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone) and systemic and local uterine redox status during early and late stages of pregnancy in adult albino rats.
Design: The present study was carried out on 88 weaned albino female rats were divided into four equal groups: control group: rats were not exposed to EMR, group2: rats were exposed to 900 MHz EMR, group3: rats were exposed to 1800 MHz EMR (emitted from mobile phones), and group 4: rats were exposed to 2450 MHz EMR (emitted from Wi-Fi). After induction of pregnancy each group was subdivided into two equal groups: early pregnant and late pregnant subgroups. At the end of each experimental period samples were collected for estimation of serum estradiol & progesterone and plasma and local oxidative stress markers.
Results: The present study showed that EMR exerted a significant frequency and duration dependent reduction in serum estrogen, progesterone, plasma TAS, vitamin C and uterine GSH which was accompanied by significant increase in plasma and uterine MDA.
Conclusion: Exposure to EMR induced progressive reduction in sex steroid hormones, and imbalance in oxidative/antioxidative stress parameters in pregnant rats. These effects were dependent on the frequency and the duration of the EMR