Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Immunohistopathologic demonstration of deleterious effects on growing rat testes of radiofrequency waves emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices med./bio.

Published in: J Pediatr Urol 2013; 9 (2): 223-229

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of radiofrequency irradiation emitted from WiFi devices on rat testes.

Background/further details

10 rats were divided into an exposure and a control group (each group n=5).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.437 GHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 24 h/day for 20 weeks
  • power: 95 mW mean (output power)
  • SAR: 0.091 W/kg maximum (in the conformity assessment test)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 2.437 GHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 24 h/day for 20 weeks
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • not specified
  • ADSL 2 + gateway
Chamber rats were housed in acrylic-glass cages (20 x 30 x 40 cm)
Setup three cages were placed in a row with 1 - 2 animals each; two commercial ADSL 2 devices + gateways were located at a distance of 25 cm at both longitudinal sides of the middle cage; gateways were wirelessly bridged to each other
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info ADSL 2 contains of hard disk and network storage link; data transmission was performed after each hard disk was assigned as a network drive
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 95 mW mean - - output power
SAR 0.091 W/kg maximum - - in the conformity assessment test

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The authors found significant increases of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels in the serum and testes of the exposed group. Additionally, the enzyme activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase were decreased in the exposed animals.
The authors conclude, that continuous long-term WiFi exposure oxidatively affects the testes in growing rats.

Study character:

Study funded by

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