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2.45-GHz microwave irradiation adversely affects reproductive function in male mouse, Mus musculus by inducing oxidative and nitrosative stress

Free Radic Res · 2014 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 2740

Male mice exposed to non-thermal low-level 2.45-GHz microwave radiation (2 h/day for 30 days; power density 0.029812 mW/cm^2; SAR 0.018 W/kg) showed decreased sperm count and viability, reduced seminiferous tubule diameter with degeneration, reduced testicula…

Study snapshot

PublicationFree Radic Res · 2014
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Electromagnetic radiations are reported to produce long-term and short-term biological effects, which are of great concern to human health due to increasing use of devices emitting EMR especially microwave (MW) radiation in our daily life. In view of the unavoidable use of MW emitting devices (microwaves oven, mobile phones, Wi-Fi, etc.) and their harmful effects on biological system, it was thought worthwhile to investigate the long-term effects of low-level MW irradiation on the reproductive function of male Swiss strain mice and its mechanism of action. Twelve-week-old mice were exposed to non-thermal low-level 2.45-GHz MW radiation (CW for 2 h/day for 30 days, power density = 0.029812 mW/cm(2) and SAR = 0.018 W/Kg). Sperm count and sperm viability test were done as well as vital organs were processed to study different stress parameters. Plasma was used for testosterone and testis for 3β HSD assay. Immunohistochemistry of 3β HSD and nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS) was also performed in testis. We observed that MW irradiation induced a significant decrease in sperm count and sperm viability along with the decrease in seminiferous tubule diameter and degeneration of seminiferous tubules. Reduction in testicular 3β HSD activity and plasma testosterone levels was also noted in the exposed group of mice. Increased expression of testicular i-NOS was observed in the MW-irradiated group of mice. Further, these adverse reproductive effects suggest that chronic exposure to nonionizing MW radiation may lead to infertility via free radical species-mediated pathway.

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 directionharm
PopulationMale Swiss strain mice (Mus musculus), 12-week-old
Sample sizeNot supplied
Exposuremicrowave · 2450 MHz · 0.018 W/kg · CW 2 h/day for 30 days
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Male mice exposed to non-thermal low-level 2.45-GHz microwave radiation (2 h/day for 30 days; power density 0.029812 mW/cm^2; SAR 0.018 W/kg) showed decreased sperm count and viability, reduced seminiferous tubule diameter with degeneration, reduced testicular 3β-HSD activity and plasma testosterone, and increased testicular i-NOS expression compared with controls.

Outcomes measured

  • Sperm count
  • Sperm viability
  • Seminiferous tubule diameter/degeneration
  • Testicular 3β-HSD activity
  • Plasma testosterone levels
  • Testicular i-NOS expression (immunohistochemistry)
  • Stress parameters (unspecified)

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Details of control/sham conditions not described in abstract
  • Specific oxidative/nitrosative stress markers and results not detailed in abstract
  • Animal study; human relevance not directly established
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": 0.018,
    "duration": "CW 2 h/day for 30 days"
  },
  "population": "Male Swiss strain mice (Mus musculus), 12-week-old",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Sperm count",
    "Sperm viability",
    "Seminiferous tubule diameter/degeneration",
    "Testicular 3β-HSD activity",
    "Plasma testosterone levels",
    "Testicular i-NOS expression (immunohistochemistry)",
    "Stress parameters (unspecified)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Male mice exposed to non-thermal low-level 2.45-GHz microwave radiation (2 h/day for 30 days; power density 0.029812 mW/cm^2; SAR 0.018 W/kg) showed decreased sperm count and viability, reduced seminiferous tubule diameter with degeneration, reduced testicular 3β-HSD activity and plasma testosterone, and increased testicular i-NOS expression compared with controls.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Details of control/sham conditions not described in abstract",
    "Specific oxidative/nitrosative stress markers and results not detailed in abstract",
    "Animal study; human relevance not directly established"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "2.45 GHz",
    "microwave radiation",
    "non-thermal",
    "low-level exposure",
    "SAR",
    "male fertility",
    "sperm count",
    "sperm viability",
    "testosterone",
    "3β-HSD",
    "i-NOS",
    "oxidative stress",
    "nitrosative stress",
    "mouse"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Experimental microwave exposure study in mice assessing reproductive outcomes."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.3109/10715762.2014.888717
PubMed: 24490664

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