Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Impact of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation on DNA integrity in the male germline med./bio.

By: Aitken RJ, Bennetts LE, Sawyer D, Wiklendt AM, King BV

Published in: Int J Androl 2005; 28 (3): 171-179

Aim of study (acc. to editor)

To study the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic irradiation on the induction of DNA damage in male germ cells of mice.

Endpoint

genotoxicity/mutation: DNA damage in spermatozoa

Exposure

- mobile communications
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 12 h/day for 7 days	electric field strength: 85 V/m mean (± 10 V/m along the vertical axis) electric field strength: 30 V/m mean (± 10 V/m along the horizontal axis) power density: 19 W/m² mean (± 10 W/m²) SAR: 90 mW/kg mean (whole body)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	guided field
Exposure duration	repeated daily exposure, 12 h/day for 7 days

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	quarter wave mobile phone antenna, RF generator
Chamber	A rectangular waveguide (300 x 300 x 1000 mm) was fabricated from 1 x 1 mm brass mesh glued to an aluminium frame, and the ends were filled with 15 cm thick carbon-impregnated, RF-absorbing foam. The amplifier output was connected through a matching network into a quarter wave mobile phone antenna placed transverse and vertical in the centre of the waveguide. The matching network was tuned using a power/SWR meter.
Setup	Four or five mice were placed inside the waveguide in a polycarbonate cage (130 x 160 x 330 mm). The same number of mice were placed outside the waveguide in an identical cage for control.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
electric field strength	85 V/m	mean	measured	-	± 10 V/m along the vertical axis
electric field strength	30 V/m	mean	measured	-	± 10 V/m along the horizontal axis
power density	19 W/m²	mean	measured and calculated	-	± 10 W/m²
SAR	90 mW/kg	mean	estimated	whole body	-

Measurement and calculation details

A spectrum analyser and an E-field probe were used to check the radiation levels during exposure. Prior to the experiments, a calibrated single axis probe (electrically short dipole and detector diode) was used to calibrate the E-field probe and to examine the spatial field variations over a grid of 10 cm and 6 cm in the longitudinal and the transverse directions, respectively. The whole-body SAR was estimated using a value of 0.045 W/kg per mW/cm² of irradiation intensity for a prolate spheroid model of a mouse in the H orientation.

Exposed system:

animal
mouse/CD-1 Swiss
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: DNA damage to caudal epididymal spermatozoa (DNA single-strand breaks, DNA double-strand breaks; quantitative PCR of gene-specific DNA damage (beta-globin gene and a fragment of the mitochondrial genome); alkaline and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis)
effects on the reproductive system: see "genotoxicity/mutation"; sperm number, morphology, and vitality; sperm motility
body weight; clinical signs of illness

Investigated system:

DNA/RNA
intact cell/cell culture
spermatozoa
investigation on living organism

Time of investigation:

during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The exposed animals kept normal and all assessment criteria (including sperm number, morphology and vitality) were not significantly affected. Gel electrophoresis revealed no gross evidence of increased single-strand breaks or double-strand breaks in spermatozoa taken from exposed mice. However, a detailed analysis of DNA integrity using quantitative PCR revealed statistically significant damage to both the mitochondrial genome and the nuclear beta-globin locus.
The data suggest that radiofrequency electromagnetic irradiation does not have a marked impact on male germ cell development, but a significant genotoxic effect on epididymal spermatozoa is evident and deserves further investigation.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Australian Research Council (ARC), Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), North Carolina, USA

Schauer I et al. (2018): Combined effects of varicocele and cell phones on semen and hormonal parameters
Pandey N et al. (2017): Radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz)-induced DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in testicular germ cells in swiss albino mice
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