Biological and morphological effects on the reproductive organ of rats after exposure to electromagnetic field.

Saudi medical journal · 2005 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5192

Study snapshot

PublicationSaudi medical journal · 2005

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The biological effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted from mobile phones is a current debate and still a controversial issue. Therefore, little is known on the possible adverse effects on reproduction as mobile phone bio-effects are only a very recent concern. The aim of this experimental study was to determine the biological and morphological effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency (RF) EMF on rat testes. METHODS: The study was performed in the Physiology and Histology Research Laboratories of Süleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey in May 2004. Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 270-320 gm were randomized into 2 groups of 10 animals: Group I (control group) was not exposed to EMF and Group II (EMF group) was exposed to 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks to 900 MHz EMF. Testes tissues were submitted for histologic and morphologic examination. Testicular biopsy score count and the percentage of interstitial tissue to the entire testicular tissue were registered. Serum testosterone, plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were assayed biochemically. RESULTS: The weight of testes, testicular biopsy score count and the percentage of interstitial tissue to the entire testicular tissue were not significantly different in EMF group compared to the control group. However, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and the mean height of the germinal epithelium were significantly decreased in EMF group (p<0.05). There was a significant decrease in serum total testosterone level in EMF group (p<0.05). Therefore, there was an insignificant decrease in plasma LH and FSH levels in EMF group compared to the control group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The biological and morphological effects resulting from 900 MHz RF EMF exposure lends no support to suggestions of adverse effect on spermatogenesis, and on germinal epithelium. Therefore, testicular morphologic alterations may possibly be due to hormonal changes.

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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

PopulationAdult male Sprague-Dawley rats

Sample size20

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 30 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with controls, the EMF-exposed rats showed no significant differences in testes weight, testicular biopsy score count, or interstitial tissue percentage. Seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelium height were significantly decreased (p<0.05), and serum total testosterone was significantly decreased (p<0.05); LH and FSH showed non-significant decreases (p>0.05).

Outcomes measured

Testes weight
Histologic/morphologic examination of testes
Testicular biopsy score count
Percentage of interstitial tissue to entire testicular tissue
Diameter of seminiferous tubules
Mean height of germinal epithelium
Serum total testosterone
Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH)
Plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

Limitations

SAR or exposure intensity not reported in abstract
Small sample size (n=10 per group)
Animal study; generalizability to humans is limited
Exposure characterization beyond frequency and schedule is not described in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "30 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats",
  "sample_size": 20,
  "outcomes": [
    "Testes weight",
    "Histologic/morphologic examination of testes",
    "Testicular biopsy score count",
    "Percentage of interstitial tissue to entire testicular tissue",
    "Diameter of seminiferous tubules",
    "Mean height of germinal epithelium",
    "Serum total testosterone",
    "Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH)",
    "Plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with controls, the EMF-exposed rats showed no significant differences in testes weight, testicular biopsy score count, or interstitial tissue percentage. Seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelium height were significantly decreased (p<0.05), and serum total testosterone was significantly decreased (p<0.05); LH and FSH showed non-significant decreases (p>0.05).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "SAR or exposure intensity not reported in abstract",
    "Small sample size (n=10 per group)",
    "Animal study; generalizability to humans is limited",
    "Exposure characterization beyond frequency and schedule is not described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "900 MHz",
    "mobile phone",
    "rats",
    "testes",
    "seminiferous tubules",
    "germinal epithelium",
    "testosterone",
    "LH",
    "FSH",
    "reproductive effects"
  ],
  "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: Not supplied
PubMed: 15806208

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