RF Safe

Rat fertility and embryo fetal development: influence of exposure to the Wi-Fi signal.

Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) · 2013 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 4490

Exposure to a 2450 MHz Wi-Fi signal for 1 h/day (6 days/week) showed no deleterious effects on male or female reproductive organs or fertility in Wistar rats. No macroscopic fetal abnormalities were observed, including at a reported critical level of 4 W/kg.

Study snapshot

PublicationReproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) · 2013
Study typeanimal
Reported directionNo effect
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

In recent decades, concern has been growing about decreasing fecundity and fertility in the human population. Exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF), especially radiofrequency (RF) fields used in wireless communications has been suggested as a potential risk factor. For the first time, we evaluated the effects of exposure to the 2450MHz Wi-Fi signal (1h/day, 6days/week) on the reproductive system of male and female Wistar rats, pre-exposed to Wi-Fi during sexual maturation. Exposure lasted 3 weeks (males) or 2 weeks (females), then animals were mated and couples exposed for 3 more weeks. On the day before delivery, the fetuses were observed for lethality, abnormalities, and clinical signs. In our experiment, no deleterious effects of Wi-Fi exposure on rat male and female reproductive organs and fertility were observed for 1h per days. No macroscopic abnormalities in fetuses were noted, even at the critical level of 4W/kg.

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 directionno_effect
PopulationMale and female Wistar rats (including fetuses assessed before delivery)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 2450 MHz · 4 W/kg · 1 h/day, 6 days/week; pre-exposure during sexual maturation; exposure lasted 3 weeks (males) or 2 weeks (females), then couples exposed for 3 more weeks
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure to a 2450 MHz Wi-Fi signal for 1 h/day (6 days/week) showed no deleterious effects on male or female reproductive organs or fertility in Wistar rats. No macroscopic fetal abnormalities were observed, including at a reported critical level of 4 W/kg.

Outcomes measured

  • Male reproductive organs
  • Female reproductive organs
  • Fertility
  • Fetal lethality
  • Fetal abnormalities
  • Clinical signs in fetuses

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Only macroscopic fetal abnormalities assessed (no mention of histology or other endpoints)
  • Exposure regimen limited to 1 h/day and specific durations (weeks)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "wi-fi",
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": 4,
    "duration": "1 h/day, 6 days/week; pre-exposure during sexual maturation; exposure lasted 3 weeks (males) or 2 weeks (females), then couples exposed for 3 more weeks"
  },
  "population": "Male and female Wistar rats (including fetuses assessed before delivery)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Male reproductive organs",
    "Female reproductive organs",
    "Fertility",
    "Fetal lethality",
    "Fetal abnormalities",
    "Clinical signs in fetuses"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to a 2450 MHz Wi-Fi signal for 1 h/day (6 days/week) showed no deleterious effects on male or female reproductive organs or fertility in Wistar rats. No macroscopic fetal abnormalities were observed, including at a reported critical level of 4 W/kg.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Only macroscopic fetal abnormalities assessed (no mention of histology or other endpoints)",
    "Exposure regimen limited to 1 h/day and specific durations (weeks)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "Wi-Fi",
    "2450 MHz",
    "radiofrequency",
    "non-ionizing electromagnetic fields",
    "Wistar rats",
    "fertility",
    "reproductive organs",
    "embryo-fetal development",
    "SAR 4 W/kg"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Study evaluates biological effects of Wi‑Fi (2450 MHz) exposure."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2012.11.003
PubMed: 23178895

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