Effects on rat testis of 1.95-GHz W-CDMA for IMT-2000 cellular phones.

Systems biology in reproductive medicine · 2011 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4477

Study snapshot

PublicationSystems biology in reproductive medicine · 2011

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

In recent years concern has arisen whether carrying a cellular phone near the reproductive organs such as the testes may cause dysfunction and particularly decrease in sperm development and production, and thus fertility in men. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of a 1.95 GHz electromagnetic field on testicular function in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Five week old animals were divided into 3 groups of 24 each and a 1.95-GHz wide-band code division multiple access (W-CDMA) signal, which is used for the freedom of mobile multimedia access (FOMA), was employed for whole body exposure for 5 hours per day, 7 days a week for 5 weeks (the period from the age of 5 to 10 weeks, corresponding to reproductive maturation in the rat). Whole-body average specific absorption rates (SAR) for individuals were designed to be 0.4 and 0.08 W/kg respectively. The control group received sham exposure. There were no differences in body weight gain or weights of the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate among the groups. The number of sperm in the testis and epididymis were not decreased in the electromagnetic field (EMF) exposed groups, and, in fact, the testicular sperm count was significantly increased with the 0.4 SAR. Abnormalities of sperm motility or morphology and the histological appearance of seminiferous tubules, including the stage of the spermatogenic cycle, were not observed. Thus, under the present exposure conditions, no testicular toxicity was evident.

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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 directionmixed

PopulationMale Sprague-Dawley rats (5 weeks old at start)

Sample size72

ExposureRF · 1950 MHz · 0.4 W/kg · Whole-body exposure 5 hours/day, 7 days/week for 5 weeks

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

No differences were observed in body weight gain or reproductive organ weights between exposed and sham groups. Sperm numbers in testis and epididymis were not decreased; testicular sperm count was significantly increased at 0.4 W/kg SAR. No abnormalities in sperm motility/morphology or seminiferous tubule histology were observed, and no testicular toxicity was evident under these exposure conditions.

Outcomes measured

Body weight gain
Weights of testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate
Sperm number in testis and epididymis
Testicular sperm count
Sperm motility
Sperm morphology
Histological appearance of seminiferous tubules
Stage of spermatogenic cycle
Testicular toxicity

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 1950,
    "sar_wkg": 0.4,
    "duration": "Whole-body exposure 5 hours/day, 7 days/week for 5 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Male Sprague-Dawley rats (5 weeks old at start)",
  "sample_size": 72,
  "outcomes": [
    "Body weight gain",
    "Weights of testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate",
    "Sperm number in testis and epididymis",
    "Testicular sperm count",
    "Sperm motility",
    "Sperm morphology",
    "Histological appearance of seminiferous tubules",
    "Stage of spermatogenic cycle",
    "Testicular toxicity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "No differences were observed in body weight gain or reproductive organ weights between exposed and sham groups. Sperm numbers in testis and epididymis were not decreased; testicular sperm count was significantly increased at 0.4 W/kg SAR. No abnormalities in sperm motility/morphology or seminiferous tubule histology were observed, and no testicular toxicity was evident under these exposure conditions.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "1.95 GHz",
    "W-CDMA",
    "IMT-2000",
    "cellular phone",
    "FOMA",
    "whole-body exposure",
    "SAR",
    "rat",
    "testis",
    "sperm count",
    "spermatogenesis"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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: 10.3109/19396368.2010.544839
PubMed: 21204746

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