Medical/biological study (experimental study)

MnSOD expression inhibited by electromagnetic pulse radiation in the rat testis med./bio.

By: Zeng L, Ji X, Zhang Y, Miao X, Zou C, Lang H, Zhang J, Li Y, Wang X, Qi H, Ren D, Guo G

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2011; 30 (4): 205-218

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To observe the effects of electromagnetic pulse exposure on the reproductive system in male rats.

Background/further details

Electromagnetic pulse is a special kind of electromagnetic irradiation that is produced as short high voltage pulses and used extensively in the medical applications and security screening and military applications. The unusual properties of electromagnetic pulses have raised concerns about potential bioeffects and health hazards to human. Therefore, this study examined the possibly damaging factors of electromagnetic pulses on the morphology of testis and sperms, endocrine changes and the metabolism in male rats.
Rats were divided into three groups: 1.) sham exposure, 2.) exposure with 3*10⁵ pulses and 3.) exposure with 4*10⁵ pulses. Every group consisted at of least eight rats. After 24, 48, 72 h or 1 week, rats were sacrificed and blood samples, sperm samples and testis were collected for analyses. The experiments were repeated thrice.

Endpoint

effects on the reproductive system: morphology of testis and sperms, superoxide dismutase level and enzyme activity in testis
endocrine changes: level of testosterone, level of luteinizing hormone , level of follicle stimulating hormone

Exposure

- 0 Hz–1.5 GHz
- RF
- PW pulsed wave

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 0 Hz–1 GHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: 3 x 10⁵or 4 x 10⁵ pulses	SAR: 30 mW/kg average over mass (whole body) electric field strength: 100 kV/m (at 225 cm from the source)

General information

Animals were divided into the following four groups: i) sham exposure ii) exposure to EMF (3*10⁵ pulses) iii) exposure to EMF (4*10⁵ pulses)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	0 Hz–1 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Waveform	pulsed
Exposure duration	3 x 10⁵or 4 x 10⁵ pulses

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Repetition frequency	50 Hz
Additional info	pulse width: 2.5 - 2.8 ns

Exposure setup

Exposure source	GTEM cell spark gap pulse generator
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	225 cm
Setup	500 cm long conical GTEM cell; rat placed in a 20 cm long polyethylene exposure holder with a diameter of 6.4 cm; holder positioned in the GTEM cell parallel with the magnetic vector at 225 cm from the EMF source
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	30 mW/kg	average over mass	calculated	whole body	-
electric field strength	100 kV/m	-	-	-	at 225 cm from the source

Reference articles

Lu ST et al. (1998): Ultrawide-band electromagnetic pulses induced hypotension in rats.

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: micronuclei test in sperms (light microscopy) (after 4*10⁵ pulses)
molecular biosynthesis: gene expression of manganese superoxide dismutase and of copper-zinc-superoxide dismutase in testis (RT-PCR), malondialdehyde in testis (thiobarbituric acid method), superoxide dismutase enzyme activity in testis (xanthine oxygenation method) as a marker of oxidative stress (after 4*10⁵ pulses)
effects on the reproductive system: sperm number and sperm motility (light microscopy), rate of acrosome reaction (Coomassie Brilliant blue staining, microscopy), morphology of sperms (light microscopy), ultrastructure of testis (transmission electron microscopy) (after 4*10⁵ pulses)
morphol./histopathol. changes: see "effects on reproductive system"
endocrine changes: level of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone (radioimmunoassay) (after 4*10⁵ pulses and after 3*10⁵ pulses)
rectal temperature

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
DNA/RNA
blood samples, sperms

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

before exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Acrosome reaction was significantly decreased after 24 and 48 h of exposure and abnormalities in the ultrastructure (chromatin accumulation, dilation and vacuolation of the endoplasmic reticulum) occured especially after 24 h exposure. The sperm number and sperm motility, as well as deformity and micronucleus rate did not significantly differ between the exposed and the control group.
The level of malondialdehyde increased 6 h after exposure, while the activity of the superoxide dismutase decreased after 24 h compared to the control group. Accordingly, the gene expression of the manganese superoxide dismutase was significantly decreased in the exposed group compared to the control group after 24 h.
Serum levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone fluctuated over time in the exposure groups, while the levels in the control groups remained constant. Serum level of follicle stimulating hormone did not change in neither of the groups.
The authors summarize that morphological damage in rat's testis, as well as endocrine and metabolic dysfunctions in rats could be induced through electromagnetic pulses.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

China's International Science and Technology (S&T) Cooperation Project
National Natural Science Foundation (NSFC), China

Tumkaya L et al. (2016): Mobile phone radiation during pubertal development has no effect on testicular histology in rats
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Sepehrimanesh M et al. (2014): Analysis of rat testicular proteome following 30-day exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic field radiation
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Wang XW et al. (2010): Mechanisms involved in the blood-testis barrier increased permeability induced by EMP
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