Impact of 900 MHz electromagnetic field exposure on main male reproductive hormone levels: a Rattus norvegicus model

Int J Biometeorol · 2014 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 2739

After 30 days, the long time exposure group had significantly higher FSH and LH than sham (p<0.05). Activin B and prolactin increased and inhibin B decreased in the long time exposure group versus sham and short exposure groups (p<0.05). Testosterone decrease…

Study snapshot

PublicationInt J Biometeorol · 2014

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

This work analyzes the effects of radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on the reproductive system of male rats, assessed by measuring circulating levels of FSH, LH, inhibin B, activin B, prolactin, and testosterone. Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (180 ± 10 g) were exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMF in four equal separated groups. The duration of exposure was 1, 2, and 4 h/day over a period of 30 days and sham-exposed animals were kept under the same environmental conditions as the exposed group except with no RF-EMF exposure. Before the exposure, at 15 and 30 days of exposure, determination of the abovementioned hormone levels was performed using ELISA. At the end of the experiment, FSH and LH values of the long time exposure (LTE) group were significantly higher than the sham-exposed group (p < 0.05). Serum activin B and prolactin in the LTE group showed significant increase and inhibin B showed significant decrease than sham and short time exposed (STE) groups after 30 days RF-EMF exposure (p < 0.05). Also, a significant decrease in serum testosterone levels in the LTE group was found compared to short and moderate time exposed (MTE) groups after 30 days RF-EMF exposure (p < 0.05). Results suggest that reproductive hormone levels are disturbed as a result of RF-EMF exposure and it may possibly affect reproductive functions. However, testosterone and inhibin B concentrations as a fertility marker and spermatogenesis were decreased significantly.

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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 Sprague-Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Sample size20

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 1, 2, or 4 h/day for 30 days (sham control)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

FSH
LH
inhibin B
activin B
prolactin
testosterone

Limitations

Animal model; findings may not generalize to humans
SAR/dosimetry not reported in abstract
Exposure source/setup not described in abstract
Small sample size (n=20)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1, 2, or 4 h/day for 30 days (sham control)"
  },
  "population": "Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus)",
  "sample_size": 20,
  "outcomes": [
    "FSH",
    "LH",
    "inhibin B",
    "activin B",
    "prolactin",
    "testosterone"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After 30 days, the long time exposure group had significantly higher FSH and LH than sham (p<0.05). Activin B and prolactin increased and inhibin B decreased in the long time exposure group versus sham and short exposure groups (p<0.05). Testosterone decreased in the long time exposure group compared with short and moderate exposure groups after 30 days (p<0.05).",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Animal model; findings may not generalize to humans",
    "SAR/dosimetry not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure source/setup not described in abstract",
    "Small sample size (n=20)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "900 MHz",
    "RF-EMF",
    "radiofrequency",
    "male reproductive hormones",
    "FSH",
    "LH",
    "testosterone",
    "inhibin B",
    "activin B",
    "prolactin",
    "Sprague-Dawley rat",
    "ELISA"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "male-fertility",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "Assesses effects of 900 MHz RF-EMF on male reproductive hormone levels including testosterone and inhibin B."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1007/s00484-013-0771-7
PubMed: 24357488

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