RF Safe

Effects of prenatal exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on 60-day-old rat testis and epididymal sperm quality.

Biotechnic & histochemistry : official publication of the Biological Stain Commission · 2016 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 4734

Compared with controls, offspring prenatally exposed to 900 MHz EMF showed a higher apoptotic index, greater DNA oxidation levels, and lower sperm motility and vitality at postnatal day 60. Histopathological alterations in seminiferous tubules and increased a…

Study snapshot

PublicationBiotechnic & histochemistry : official publication of the Biological Stain Commission · 2016
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

We investigated the effects of exposure in utero to a 900 megahertz (MHz) electromagnetic field (EMF) on 60-day-old rat testis and epididymis. Pregnant rats were divided into control (CG; no treatment) and EMF (EMFG) groups. The EMFG was exposed to 900 MHz EMF for 1 h each day during days 13 - 21 of pregnancy. Newborn rats were either newborn CG (NCG) or newborn EMF groups (NEMFG). On postnatal day 60, a testis and epididymis were removed from each animal. Epididymal semen quality, and lipid and DNA oxidation levels, apoptotic index and histopathological damage to the testis were compared. We found a higher apoptotic index, greater DNA oxidation levels and lower sperm motility and vitality in the NEMFG compared to controls. Immature germ cells in the seminiferous tubule lumen, and altered seminiferous tubule epithelium and seminiferous tubule structure also were observed in hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of NEMFG testis. Nuclear changes that indicated apoptosis were identified in TUNEL stained sections and large numbers of apoptotic cells were observed in most of the seminiferous tubule epithelium in the NEMFG. Sixty-day-old rat testes exposed to 900 MHz EMF exhibited altered sperm quality and biochemical characteristics.

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 offspring assessed at postnatal day 60
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 1 h/day on gestational days 13–21 (prenatal/in utero exposure)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with controls, offspring prenatally exposed to 900 MHz EMF showed a higher apoptotic index, greater DNA oxidation levels, and lower sperm motility and vitality at postnatal day 60. Histopathological alterations in seminiferous tubules and increased apoptotic cells were reported in exposed testes.

Outcomes measured

  • Testis histopathology (seminiferous tubule epithelium/structure)
  • Apoptotic index (including TUNEL staining)
  • DNA oxidation levels
  • Lipid oxidation levels
  • Epididymal sperm quality (motility, vitality)

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Specific exposure metrics beyond frequency and duration (e.g., SAR, field strength) not reported in abstract
  • Only one exposure condition and one postnatal assessment time point described in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1 h/day on gestational days 13–21 (prenatal/in utero exposure)"
  },
  "population": "Pregnant rats and offspring assessed at postnatal day 60",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Testis histopathology (seminiferous tubule epithelium/structure)",
    "Apoptotic index (including TUNEL staining)",
    "DNA oxidation levels",
    "Lipid oxidation levels",
    "Epididymal sperm quality (motility, vitality)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with controls, offspring prenatally exposed to 900 MHz EMF showed a higher apoptotic index, greater DNA oxidation levels, and lower sperm motility and vitality at postnatal day 60. Histopathological alterations in seminiferous tubules and increased apoptotic cells were reported in exposed testes.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Specific exposure metrics beyond frequency and duration (e.g., SAR, field strength) not reported in abstract",
    "Only one exposure condition and one postnatal assessment time point described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "prenatal exposure",
    "in utero",
    "900 MHz",
    "RF-EMF",
    "rat",
    "testis",
    "epididymis",
    "sperm quality",
    "apoptosis",
    "DNA oxidation",
    "TUNEL",
    "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: 10.3109/10520295.2015.1060356
PubMed: 26472053

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