RF Safe

The effect of prenatal exposure to 900-MHz electromagnetic field on the 21-old-day rat testicle.

Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) · 2013 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 4570

Compared with controls, offspring from EMF-exposed dams showed histopathological abnormalities in seminiferous tubules (including decreased diameter and epithelium thickness) and higher apoptotic index, lipid peroxidation, and DNA oxidation at postnatal day 2…

Study snapshot

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

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exposure to a 900-MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) in the prenatal term on the 21-old-day rat testicle. Pregnant rats were divided into control (CG) and EMF (EMFG) groups. EMFG was exposed to 900-MHz EMF during days 13-21 of pregnancy. Newborn CG rats were obtained from the CG and newborn EMFG (NEMFG) rats from the EMFG. Testicles were extracted at postnatal day 21. Lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidation levels, apoptotic index and histopathological damage scores were compared. NEMFG rats exhibited irregularities in seminiferous tubule basal membrane and epithelium, immature germ cells in the lumen, and a decreased diameter in seminiferous tubules and thickness of epithelium. Apoptotic index, lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidation were higher in NEMFG rats than in NCG. 21-day-old rat testicles exposed to 900-MHz EMF in the prenatal term may be adversely affected, and this effect persists after birth.

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
PopulationPregnant rats and male offspring (testicles assessed at postnatal day 21)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 900 MHz · Gestational days 13–21 (prenatal exposure); outcomes assessed at postnatal day 21
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with controls, offspring from EMF-exposed dams showed histopathological abnormalities in seminiferous tubules (including decreased diameter and epithelium thickness) and higher apoptotic index, lipid peroxidation, and DNA oxidation at postnatal day 21.

Outcomes measured

  • Testicular histopathology (seminiferous tubule basal membrane/epithelium irregularities, immature germ cells in lumen, seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelium thickness)
  • Apoptotic index
  • Lipid peroxidation
  • DNA oxidation

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Exposure metrics beyond frequency (e.g., SAR, power density) not reported in abstract
  • Randomization/blinding not described in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Gestational days 13–21 (prenatal exposure); outcomes assessed at postnatal day 21"
  },
  "population": "Pregnant rats and male offspring (testicles assessed at postnatal day 21)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Testicular histopathology (seminiferous tubule basal membrane/epithelium irregularities, immature germ cells in lumen, seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelium thickness)",
    "Apoptotic index",
    "Lipid peroxidation",
    "DNA oxidation"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with controls, offspring from EMF-exposed dams showed histopathological abnormalities in seminiferous tubules (including decreased diameter and epithelium thickness) and higher apoptotic index, lipid peroxidation, and DNA oxidation at postnatal day 21.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure metrics beyond frequency (e.g., SAR, power density) not reported in abstract",
    "Randomization/blinding not described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "prenatal exposure",
    "900 MHz",
    "RF EMF",
    "rat",
    "testicle",
    "seminiferous tubules",
    "apoptosis",
    "lipid peroxidation",
    "DNA oxidation",
    "histopathology"
  ],
  "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: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2013.09.006
PubMed: 24095929

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