Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of subchronic exposure to radio frequency from a conventional cellular telephone on testicular function in adult rats med./bio.

By: Ribeiro EP, Rhoden EL, Horn MM, Rhoden C, Lima LP, Toniolo L

Published in: J Urol 2007; 177 (1): 395-399

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of subchronic exposure to radiofrequency emitted from a cellular telephone on the testicular function in adult rats.

Background/further details

16 male rats were randomly divided into an experimental and a control group.

Endpoint

effects on the reproductive system: testicular function

Exposure

- microwaves
- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,835–1,850 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 1 h/day, for 11 weeks	power: 1 W peak value (specification of the cell phone) power: 0.125 W mean (specification of the cell phone) electric field strength: 7.3 V/m mean (at 1 cm from the cell phone) power density: 1.4 mW/cm² mean (at 1 cm from the cell phone) electric field strength: 1.2 V/m mean (most distant region inside the cage) power density: 0.04 mW/cm² mean (most distant region inside the cage)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,835–1,850 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	repeated daily exposure, 1 h/day, for 11 weeks

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Repetition frequency	217 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone in conversation mode, with volume control switched to the lowest level
Setup	The mobile phone, protected by a small plastic container, was placed inside the cage in the same dark region where the eight rats gathered for most of the exposure time.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	Only a similar small plastic container was placed in the control group cage positioned 8 m away and receiving only background radiation (0.2 V/m).

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	1 W	peak value	unspecified	-	specification of the cell phone
power	0.125 W	mean	unspecified	-	specification of the cell phone
electric field strength	7.3 V/m	mean	measured	-	at 1 cm from the cell phone
power density	1.4 mW/cm²	mean	measured	-	at 1 cm from the cell phone
electric field strength	1.2 V/m	mean	measured	-	most distant region inside the cage
power density	0.04 mW/cm²	mean	measured	-	most distant region inside the cage

Measurement and calculation details

The electric field emitted by the mobile phone was measured every second by a radiation meter and an isotropic probe.

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

molecular biosynthesis: serum total testosterone level (radioimmunoassay); lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) levels in testes and epididymis
effects on the reproductive system: testicular function (testicular and epididymal weight; epididymal sperm count (hemocytometer); spermatogenesis stages/germ cell count at specific stages; see also "molecular biosynthesis" and "morphological/histopathological changes")
morphol./histopathol. changes: testicular histology (e.g. interstitial infiltration, cellular vacuolation, multinucleate giant cells; mean seminiferous tubules diameter; number of Sertoli cell nuclei and round spermatids)
thermoregulation: rectal temperature
body weight

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
tissue slices
isolated organ
blood/serum samples, sperms, organ homogenates
investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

reproductive system

Time of investigation:

before exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

There was no statistical difference between the control group and experimental group in any endpoints evaluated. Mean rectal temperature did not alter following exposure.
The data show that the low intensity pulsed radiofrequency emitted by a cellular telephone does not impair testicular function in adult rats.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq; National Council for Scientific and Technological Development; at Ministry of Science and Technology), Brazil
Fundacao Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (Brazilian Federal Agency for the Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education; CAPES; at Ministry of Education), Brazil

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