Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Long-term effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from mobile phone on testicular tissue and epididymal semen quality. med./bio.

By: Tas M, Dasdag S, Akdag MZ, Cirit U, Yegin K, Seker U, Ozmen MF, Eren LB

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2014; 33 (3): 216-222

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of chronic exposure of rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on reproductive organs and sperm quality should be investigated.

Background/further details

14 rats were divided into 2 groups (n=7 each): 1) exposure and 2) sham exposure.

Endpoint

effects on the reproductive system: sperm quality, testis histopathology and reproductive organ weights

Exposure

- 900 MHz
- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Exposure duration: continuous 3 hours/day, 7 days/week for 1 year	SAR: 0.0623 W/kg mean (cf. remarks) (point value in testis and prostate) SAR: 0.0445 W/kg mean (1 g) (in testis and prostate) SAR: 0.0373 W/kg mean (10 g) (in testis and prostate) SAR: 0.0369 W/kg effective value (whole body) SAR: 2.023 W/kg maximum (whole body) (± 0.121 (W/kg))

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous 3 hours/day, 7 days/week for 1 year
Additional info	900 MHz band waveform identical to the one in mobile phones

Exposure setup

Exposure source	GSM signal generator
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	1 cm
Chamber	plexiglass carousel
Setup	rats were confined in a plexiglass carousel; the antenna of the generator was placed at the center of the plexiglass carousel (1 cm distance to the rat heads); emitted power of the antenna was omnidirectional on the plane perpendicular to the antenna axis
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.0623 W/kg	mean	measured and calculated	cf. remarks	point value in testis and prostate
SAR	0.0445 W/kg	mean	measured and calculated	1 g	in testis and prostate
SAR	0.0373 W/kg	mean	measured and calculated	10 g	in testis and prostate
SAR	0.0369 W/kg	effective value	measured and calculated	whole body	-
SAR	2.023 W/kg	maximum	measured and calculated	whole body	± 0.121 (W/kg)

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar albino
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the reproductive system: epididymal sperm quality (concentration, motility, tail malformations, head malformations, total morphological malformations; microscopy), testis histopathology (seminiferous tubules diameter, tunica albuginea thickness, Johnsen score; hematoxylin-eosin stain, microscopy), weights of testis, epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicle
morphol./histopathol. changes: see "effects on reproductive system"

Investigated material:

intact cell/cell culture
tissue slices
isolated organ
sperm, testis, epididymis, prostate, seminal vesicle

Investigated organ system:

reproductive system

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In the sperm quality analysis, significantly less total morphological malformations were found in the exposure group compared to the sham exposure group. All other sperm parameters did not show significant differences between the groups.
However, the tunica albuginea thickness and the Johnsen score were significantly decreased in the exposure group compared to the sham exposure group.
The authors conclude that chronic exposure of rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field might alter some parameters in reproductive organs and sperm quality, and that further research on this topic is needed.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
blind study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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