Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Biological and morphological effects on the reproductive organ of rats after exposure to electromagnetic field med./bio.

Published in: Saudi Med J 2005; 26 (3): 405-410

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the biological and morphological effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on rat testis.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 30 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Charakteristic
Exposure duration repeated daily exposure, 30 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber The exposure system consisted of a ventilated plastic tube cage (12 cm long, 5.5 cm in diameter) and a dipole antenna.
Setup The whole body of the rat was positioned in close contact above the dipole antenna.
Additional info Controls rats were fed under the same environmental conditions as the exposure group.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 2 W peak value - - -
power density 1 mW/cm² mean measured - ? 0.4 mW/cm?

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 weight of testis, testicular biopsy score count (Johnson score) and the percentage of interstitial tissue to the entire testicular tissue were not significantly different in the exposed group compared to the control group. However, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and the mean height of the germinal epithelium were significantly decreased in exposed animals. There was a significant decrease in serum total testosterone level in exposed rats, but there was an insignificant decrease in plasma luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone levels in the exposed group compared to the control group.
The authors concluded that the biological and morphological effects resulting from 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure lends no support to suggestions of adverse effect on spermatogenesis and on germinal epithelium. Testicular morphologic alterations may possibly be due to hormonal alterations.

Study character:

Study funded by

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