Quantitative changes in testicular structure and function in rat exposed to mobile phone radiation

2017 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 1355

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Quantitative changes in testicular structure and function in rat exposed to mobile phone radiation Çetkin M, Kızılkan N, Demirel C, Bozdağ Z, Erkılıç S, Erbağcı H. Quantitative changes in testicular structure and function in rat exposed to mobile phone radiation. Andrologia. 2017 Jan 26. doi: 10.1111/and.12761. Abstract The possible effects of the electromagnetic fields (EMF) generated by mobile phones on reproductive functions have been discussed in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of EMF emitted from mobile phones on the rat testis morphology and histopathology using stereological techniques. We also investigated cortisol, testosterone, FSH and LH levels. A total of thirty-two (n = 32) male Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Animals were randomly divided into four groups as control (C, n = 8), sham (Sh, n = 8), mobile phone speech (Sp, n = 8) and mobile phone standby (ST by). Morphometric measurements were made with the help of a computer-assisted stereological analysis system. The testis weight and volume were significantly lower in the EMF exposed groups. The mean volume fraction of interstitial tissue was higher, but the volume fraction of tubular tissue was lower in the EMF-exposed groups. The mean tubular and germinal tissue volume, seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelium height were also lower in EMF exposed groups. The cortisol levels in the EMF-exposed groups were significantly higher. In conclusion, the EMF created by mobile phones caused morphologic and histological changes by the affecting germinal epithelium tissue negatively. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Excerpts In order to generate EMF, mobile phones using GSM mobile phone systems were employed. The highest SAR (specific absorption rate) of the mobile phones was 0.96 W/kg and each of these phones had a 890-915 MHz carrier frequency band, 217 Hz modulation frequency, 250 mW maximum average power and 2 W maximum peak power (Dasdag et al., 1999). Speech mode was obtained by keeping the mobile phone in the experiment box on speech mode for 2 hr/day. For the standby mode, the mobile phone was put on standby for 12 hr/day. It was seen at the end of the study that exposure to mobile phones caused degeneration in germinal epithelium tissue and as a result, such parameters as testis volume, tubular tissue volume fraction and volume, germinal epithelium volume, STD, GEH and Johnsen biopsy score were affected adversely. Moreover, exposure to mobile phones was found to increase cortisol levels as well. Inconclusion, it has been found in our study that EMF generated by mobile phones causes degeneration in the germinal epithelium. As a result of this degeneration, significant decreases were observed in the testis volumes, tubular tissue volumes, STD and GEH of the experimental groups. While EMF increased serum cortisol levels in the experimental group, it caused no change in gonadal hormones. All these findings are considered to be useful for studies examining the effects of EMF on reproductive functions. 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

PopulationMale Wistar albino rats

Sample size32

ExposureRF · 0.96 W/kg · Speech mode: 2 hr/day; Standby mode: 12 hr/day

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with control/sham, EMF-exposed groups (speech and standby) had significantly lower testis weight and volume and lower tubular/germinal tissue measures (including seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelium height), with higher interstitial tissue volume fraction. Cortisol levels were significantly higher in EMF-exposed groups; the excerpt states there was no change in gonadal hormones.

Outcomes measured

Testis weight
Testis volume
Volume fraction of interstitial tissue
Volume fraction of tubular tissue
Tubular tissue volume
Germinal tissue volume
Seminiferous tubule diameter
Germinal epithelium height
Johnsen biopsy score
Cortisol
Testosterone
FSH
LH

Limitations

Journal name not provided in metadata (though listed in abstract as Andrologia).
Exposure metrics beyond SAR and carrier frequency (e.g., measured field strength/dosimetry at the animal) not reported in the provided text.
Duration of total study period not stated in the provided abstract/excerpts.
Details of statistical methods and exact hormone results (testosterone/FSH/LH) not provided in the provided text.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": 0.96,
    "duration": "Speech mode: 2 hr/day; Standby mode: 12 hr/day"
  },
  "population": "Male Wistar albino rats",
  "sample_size": 32,
  "outcomes": [
    "Testis weight",
    "Testis volume",
    "Volume fraction of interstitial tissue",
    "Volume fraction of tubular tissue",
    "Tubular tissue volume",
    "Germinal tissue volume",
    "Seminiferous tubule diameter",
    "Germinal epithelium height",
    "Johnsen biopsy score",
    "Cortisol",
    "Testosterone",
    "FSH",
    "LH"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with control/sham, EMF-exposed groups (speech and standby) had significantly lower testis weight and volume and lower tubular/germinal tissue measures (including seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelium height), with higher interstitial tissue volume fraction. Cortisol levels were significantly higher in EMF-exposed groups; the excerpt states there was no change in gonadal hormones.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Journal name not provided in metadata (though listed in abstract as Andrologia).",
    "Exposure metrics beyond SAR and carrier frequency (e.g., measured field strength/dosimetry at the animal) not reported in the provided text.",
    "Duration of total study period not stated in the provided abstract/excerpts.",
    "Details of statistical methods and exact hormone results (testosterone/FSH/LH) not provided in the provided text."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "mobile phone",
    "EMF",
    "RF",
    "GSM",
    "rat",
    "testis",
    "stereology",
    "histopathology",
    "cortisol",
    "reproductive function",
    "seminiferous tubule",
    "germinal epithelium"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "Exposure source is GSM mobile phones (speech/standby modes) and outcomes relate to biological effects."
    }
  ]
}

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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.12761
PubMed: Not supplied

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