Influence of electromagnetic fields on reproductive system of male rats.

International journal of radiation biology · 2013 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6520

Compared with sham-exposed rats, 10 GHz-exposed rats showed shrinkage of seminiferous tubule lumen and apoptotic bodies, increased micronuclei formation in lymphocytes, DNA strand breaks on comet assay, and significantly decreased testosterone with reduced te…

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of radiation biology · 2013

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

UNLABELLED: Abstract Purpose: Reports of declining male fertility have renewed interest in the role of environmental and occupational exposures in the etiology of human infertility. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of 10 GHz exposure on the male Wistar rat's reproductive system and to find out the possible causative factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was divided into sham-exposed and exposed groups. Seventy day-old rats were exposed to 10 GHz microwave radiation for 2 h per day for 45 days at power density 0.21 mW/cm(2) and specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.014 W/kg. After the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for the estimation of in vivo chromosomal aberration damage and micronucleus test. Spermatozoa were taken out for estimation of Caspase-3, comet assay, testosterone and electron microscopy and compared with sham-exposed. RESULTS: The study of scanning electron microscopic revealed shrinkage of the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. Apoptotic bodies were found in exposed group. A flow cytometry examination showed formation of micronuclei body in lymphocytes of exposed group. Comet assay confirmed DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) strand break. Testosterone level was found significantly decreased with the shrinkage of testicular size. CONCLUSIONS: 10 GHz field has an injurious effect on fertility potential of male-exposed animals.

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

PopulationMale Wistar rats (70-day old)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave · 10000 MHz · 0.014 W/kg · 2 h/day for 45 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Testicular histology/ultrastructure (scanning electron microscopy of seminiferous tubules)
Apoptosis (apoptotic bodies; Caspase-3)
Micronucleus test in lymphocytes (flow cytometry)
In vivo chromosomal aberration damage
DNA strand breaks (comet assay)
Testosterone level
Testicular size

Limitations

Sample size per group not stated in abstract
Randomization/blinding not described
Exposure source/setup details beyond power density and SAR not described
Relevance to human fertility is indirect (animal model)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 10000,
    "sar_wkg": 0.014,
    "duration": "2 h/day for 45 days"
  },
  "population": "Male Wistar rats (70-day old)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Testicular histology/ultrastructure (scanning electron microscopy of seminiferous tubules)",
    "Apoptosis (apoptotic bodies; Caspase-3)",
    "Micronucleus test in lymphocytes (flow cytometry)",
    "In vivo chromosomal aberration damage",
    "DNA strand breaks (comet assay)",
    "Testosterone level",
    "Testicular size"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with sham-exposed rats, 10 GHz-exposed rats showed shrinkage of seminiferous tubule lumen and apoptotic bodies, increased micronuclei formation in lymphocytes, DNA strand breaks on comet assay, and significantly decreased testosterone with reduced testicular size.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size per group not stated in abstract",
    "Randomization/blinding not described",
    "Exposure source/setup details beyond power density and SAR not described",
    "Relevance to human fertility is indirect (animal model)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "10 GHz",
    "microwave radiation",
    "SAR",
    "power density",
    "male fertility",
    "Wistar rat",
    "testis",
    "seminiferous tubules",
    "testosterone",
    "DNA damage",
    "micronucleus",
    "comet assay",
    "apoptosis"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.25,
      "reason": "Abstract frames the question in terms of environmental/occupational exposures, though the experiment is in rats."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3109/09553002.2013.741282
PubMed: 23078358

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