Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field for 1 hour a day over 30 days does change the histopathology and biochemistry of the rat testis med./bio.

Published in: Int J Radiat Biol 2015; 91 (7): 547-554

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on histology, oxidative stress and apoptosis in the testes should be investigated.

Background/further details

Rats were divided into 3 groups: 1) cage control (n=8), 2) sham exposure (n=7) and 3) exposure to the electromagnetic field (n=8).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 1 hour/day for 30 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 1 hour/day for 30 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber plexiglass jar (42 cm x 30 cm x 50 cm in size)
Setup all rats were exposed simultaneously in one jar; an oscillator was used to establish a 900 MHz field similar to the frequency of a mobile phone; a half-wave dipole antenna made from a copper rod (1 mm Π15 cm) was installed into the central region, approximately 11 cm inside the open surface of the jar; intensity of the exposure field was measured every day from 9 different points on the floor of the jar
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info electric field measurements were performed before each application and the absence of any other environmental electromagnetic field was confirmed before sham exposure and exposure were conducted
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 10 V/m mean measured - -
power density 0.265 W/m² mean measured and calculated - -
SAR 0.025 W/kg - measured and calculated whole body -
power 300 mW - estimated - output power of power supply

Reference articles

  • Odaci E et al. (2015): Pathological effects of prenatal exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on the 21-day-old male rat kidney
  • Turedi S et al. (2015): The effects of prenatal exposure to a 900-MHz electromagnetic field on the 21-day-old male rat heart
  • Topal Z et al. (2015): The effects of prenatal long-duration exposure to 900-MHz electromagnetic field on the 21-day-old newborn male rat liver
  • Hanci H et al. (2013): The effect of prenatal exposure to 900-megahertz electromagnetic field on the 21-old-day rat testicle
  • Bas O et al. (2013): Pyramidal Cell Loss in the Cornu Ammonis of 32-day-old Female Rats Following Exposure to a 900 Megahertz Electromagnetic Field During Prenatal Days 13-21
  • Ikinci A et al. (2013): The Effects of Prenatal Exposure to a 900 Megahertz Electromagnetic Field on Hippocampus Morphology and Learning Behavior in Rat Pups
  • Odaci E et al. (2013): The Effects of 900 Megahertz Electromagnetic Field Applied in the Prenatal Period on Spinal Cord Morphology and Motor Behavior in Female Rat Pups

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The diameter and epithelium thickness of the seminiferous tubules were significantly lower, while the histopathological damage and apoptosis rate were significantly higher in the exposure group compared to the cage control and sham exposure. However, histopathological damage and the apoptosis rate in the sham exposure group were also significantly higher compared to the cage control but significantly lower in comparison to the exposure group.
The enzyme activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase, the amount of glutathione and lipid peroxidation were significantly decreased in the exposure group compared to the cage control. On the other hand, the enzyme activities of the catalase and superoxide dismutase and the amount of lipid peroxidation were significantly increased in the exposure group compared to the sham exposure group. In the sham exposure, the enzyme activity of the superoxide dismutase and the amount of glutathione and lipid peroxidation were significantly decreased compared to the cage control.
The significant differences in the sham exposure group in comparison to the cage control were probably stress-induced by the experimental procedure.
The authors conclude that exposure of rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field could alter histology, the oxidative status and apoptosis induction in the testes.

Study character:

Study funded by

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