RF EMR from cell phone causes defective testicular function in male Wistar rats

2017 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 1315

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

RF EMR from cell phone causes defective testicular function in male Wistar rats Oyewopo AO, Olaniyi SK, Oyewopo CI, Jimoh AT. Radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation from cell phone causes defective testicular function in male Wistar rats. Andrologia. 2017 Mar 6. doi: 10.1111/and.12772. Abstract Cell phones have become an integral part of everyday life. As cell phone usage has become more widespread, concerns have increased regarding the harmful effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation from these devices. The current study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the emitted radiation by cell phones on testicular histomorphometry and biochemical analyses. Adult male Wistar rats weighing 180-200 g were randomly allotted to control, group A (switched off mode exposure), group B (1-hr exposure), group C (2-hr exposure) and group D (3-hr exposure). The animals were exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation of cell phone for a period of 28 days. Histomorphometry, biochemical and histological investigations were carried out. The histomorphometric parameters showed no significant change (p < .05) in the levels of germinal epithelial diameter in all the experimental groups compared with the control group. There was no significant change (p < .05) in cross-sectional diameter of all the experimental groups compared with the control group. Group D rats showed a significant decrease (p ˂ .05) in lumen diameter compared with group B rats. There was an uneven distribution of germinal epithelial cells in groups B, C and D. However, there was degeneration of the epithelia cells in group D when compared to the control and group B rats. Sera levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), which are markers of reactive oxygen species, significantly increased (MDA) and decreased (SOD), respectively, in all the experimental groups compared with the control group. Also sera levels of gonadotropic hormones (FSH, LH and testosterone) significantly decreased (p < .05) in groups C and D compared with the control group. The study demonstrates that chronic exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation of cell phone leads to defective testicular function that is associated with increased oxidative stress and decreased gonadotropic hormonal profile. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Also see: saferemr.com

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionharm

PopulationAdult male Wistar rats (180–200 g)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 1–3 hours exposure (by group) for 28 days; includes switched-off mode group

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Rats exposed to cell phone RF-EMR for 28 days showed no significant changes in germinal epithelial diameter or cross-sectional diameter versus controls, but group D (3-hr exposure) had decreased lumen diameter versus group B and showed epithelial degeneration. Serum MDA increased and SOD decreased in all experimental groups versus control, and FSH/LH/testosterone decreased in groups C and D versus control.

Outcomes measured

Testicular histomorphometry (germinal epithelial diameter, cross-sectional diameter, lumen diameter)
Testicular histology (distribution/degeneration of germinal epithelial cells)
Oxidative stress markers (serum malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD))
Gonadotropic hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone)

Limitations

Frequency and SAR not reported in the abstract
Sample size not reported in the abstract
Exposure setup details beyond duration/groups not provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1–3 hours exposure (by group) for 28 days; includes switched-off mode group"
  },
  "population": "Adult male Wistar rats (180–200 g)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Testicular histomorphometry (germinal epithelial diameter, cross-sectional diameter, lumen diameter)",
    "Testicular histology (distribution/degeneration of germinal epithelial cells)",
    "Oxidative stress markers (serum malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD))",
    "Gonadotropic hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Rats exposed to cell phone RF-EMR for 28 days showed no significant changes in germinal epithelial diameter or cross-sectional diameter versus controls, but group D (3-hr exposure) had decreased lumen diameter versus group B and showed epithelial degeneration. Serum MDA increased and SOD decreased in all experimental groups versus control, and FSH/LH/testosterone decreased in groups C and D versus control.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency and SAR not reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Exposure setup details beyond duration/groups not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation",
    "RF-EMR",
    "cell phone",
    "mobile phone",
    "Wistar rats",
    "testicular function",
    "histomorphometry",
    "oxidative stress",
    "malondialdehyde",
    "superoxide dismutase",
    "FSH",
    "LH",
    "testosterone"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Exposure source is cell phone RF-EMR."
    },
    {
      "slug": "male-fertility",
      "weight": 0.85,
      "reason": "Outcomes include testicular histology/histomorphometry and reproductive hormones."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1111/and.12772
PubMed: Not supplied

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