Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of subchronic exposure to radio frequency from a conventional cellular telephone on testicular function in adult rats med./bio.

Published in: J Urol 2007; 177 (1): 395-399

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of subchronic exposure to radiofrequency emitted from a cellular telephone on the testicular function in adult rats.

Background/further details

16 male rats were randomly divided into an experimental and a control group.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,835–1,850 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 1 h/day, for 11 weeks

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,835–1,850 MHz
Type
Exposure duration repeated daily exposure, 1 h/day, for 11 weeks
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup The mobile phone, protected by a small plastic container, was placed inside the cage in the same dark region where the eight rats gathered for most of the exposure time.
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info Only a similar small plastic container was placed in the control group cage positioned 8 m away and receiving only background radiation (0.2 V/m).
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 1 W peak value unspecified - specification of the cell phone
power 0.125 W mean unspecified - specification of the cell phone
electric field strength 7.3 V/m mean measured - at 1 cm from the cell phone
power density 1.4 mW/cm² mean measured - at 1 cm from the cell phone
electric field strength 1.2 V/m mean measured - most distant region inside the cage
power density 0.04 mW/cm² mean measured - most distant region inside the cage

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

There was no statistical difference between the control group and experimental group in any endpoints evaluated. Mean rectal temperature did not alter following exposure.
The data show that the low intensity pulsed radiofrequency emitted by a cellular telephone does not impair testicular function in adult rats.

Study character:

Study funded by

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