Effects of Combined Exposure to Microwave and Heat on Gene Expression and Sperm Parameters in Mice

2017 · Mixed · Very low evidence

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MixedVery low evidencePaper 2348

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

Effects of Combined Exposure to Microwave and Heat on Gene Expression and Sperm Parameters in Mice Gohari FA, Saranjam B, Asgari M, Omidi L, Ekrami H, Moussavi-Najarkola SA.An Experimental Study of the Effects of Combined Exposure to Microwave and Heat on Gene Expression and Sperm Parameters in Mice. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2017 Apr-Jun;10(2):128-134. doi: 10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_136_16. Abstract OBJECTIVES: Separate exposure to microwaves (MWs) or heat had effects on expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 and sperm parameters in studied group. AIMS: The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of separate and combined exposure to 900- MHz MW (as representative of cell phone radiation) and heat on gene expression and spermogram of male mice. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This experimental animal study was conducted in the school of public health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was done on 12 male mice randomly divided into four groups (21-23 g): control, test group 1 with separate exposure to 900-MHz MW, test group 2 with separate exposure to hot and sultry climate, and test group 3 with simultaneous whole body exposures to 900-MHz MW and hot and sultry climate. In all studied groups, gene expression and sperm parameters were measured. RESULTS: Tissue samples in all test groups showed integrity of the seminiferous tubule followed by all types of germ line cells. Significant increases in the number of dead sperms in mice with separate exposure to heat were observed in comparison with the other studied groups (P < 0.05). The ratio of Bax expression was elevated to 0.015 ± 0.006 in mice after combined exposures to 900-MHz MW and heat. CONCLUSION: Separate and combined exposure to 900-MHz MW and heat may induce adverse effects on sperm parameters and gene expression of studied male mice. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Note: limited statistical power

Machine Enhanced Logic

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 directionmixed

PopulationMale mice

Sample size12

ExposureRF · 900 MHz

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 12 male mice randomized to control, 900-MHz microwave exposure, heat exposure, or combined 900-MHz microwave plus heat, a significant increase in the number of dead sperms was observed in the heat-only group compared with other groups (P < 0.05). Bax expression ratio was reported as elevated to 0.015 ± 0.006 after combined 900-MHz microwave and heat exposure; seminiferous tubules showed integrity with germ line cells in all test groups.

Outcomes measured

Bax gene expression
Bcl-2 gene expression
Sperm parameters (including number of dead sperms)
Seminiferous tubule integrity / germ line cells (histology)

Limitations

Small sample size (12 mice total)
Limited statistical power (noted)
Exposure duration not reported in abstract
SAR/dosimetry not reported in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Male mice",
  "sample_size": 12,
  "outcomes": [
    "Bax gene expression",
    "Bcl-2 gene expression",
    "Sperm parameters (including number of dead sperms)",
    "Seminiferous tubule integrity / germ line cells (histology)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 12 male mice randomized to control, 900-MHz microwave exposure, heat exposure, or combined 900-MHz microwave plus heat, a significant increase in the number of dead sperms was observed in the heat-only group compared with other groups (P < 0.05). Bax expression ratio was reported as elevated to 0.015 ± 0.006 after combined 900-MHz microwave and heat exposure; seminiferous tubules showed integrity with germ line cells in all test groups.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (12 mice total)",
    "Limited statistical power (noted)",
    "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
    "SAR/dosimetry not reported in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "900 MHz",
    "microwave",
    "RF",
    "heat",
    "combined exposure",
    "Bax",
    "Bcl-2",
    "sperm parameters",
    "male fertility",
    "mouse"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Includes heat exposure context, but setting/exposure appears experimental rather than occupational; only weak match."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_136_16
PubMed: Not supplied

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