Study: Radiofrequency exposure impaired mitochondrial energy production in cultured Leydig cells

October 18, 2026 (EMFS)

Oct 15, 2026 (original)

Source: Reproductive Toxicology

Source category: Research

A study in Reproductive Toxicology, published 15 October 2026, exposed cultured TM3 Leydig cells, which produce testosterone in the testes, to a 4G mobile phone and to a signal generator at 1800 MHz and 2450 MHz for 15 to 120 minutes. Flow cytometry showed the mitochondrial membrane potential falling with both frequency and exposure time, and an ATP assay indicated impaired energy production after 30 minutes under every condition. Blocking agents pointed to the mitochondria themselves, not the NOX enzyme family, as the main source of the oxidative stress. The same group reported in March that these frequencies also suppressed DNA synthesis in these cells.

Exposure note: The abstract gives no field strengths and no specific absorption rate, and the full text is behind a paywall. The same team's open-access study in Scientific Reports, which we covered in March, used the same cell line and the same three exposure arms, and reported average fields at the position of the samples of 9.25 V/m for the 4G phone, 14.69 V/m at 1800 MHz and 13.44 V/m at 2450 MHz, with a calculated specific absorption rate of about 0.5 W/kg for the phone at a distance of 1 cm. In that study the temperature variation between exposed and control groups was less than 0.1 °C, and the incubator was held at 37 °C and 5 per cent carbon dioxide throughout, so heating does not account for what the cells did.

Quotes

"This study evaluated the impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones (4 G) and a signal generator operating at 1800 MHz and 2450 MHz for 15-120 min on mitochondrial function in TM3 Leydig cells."

— Jangid et al.

"Flow cytometry with JC-1 dye revealed frequency- and time-dependent mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) depolarization."

— Jangid et al.

"Corresponding adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay indicated impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics after 30 min of irradiation across all exposure conditions."

— Jangid et al.

"Collectively, these findings demonstrate that short-term RF-EMR exposure induces frequency-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction in TM3 Leydig cells through mechanisms involving oxidative stress and possible alterations in autophagy-associated cellular responses."

— Jangid et al.

Exposure

— Jangid et al., Reproductive Toxicology (2026), Abstract

Location

📍 India