Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Impact of microwave at X-band in the aetiology of male infertility med./bio.

By: Kumar S, Behari J, Sisodia R

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2012; 31 (3): 223-232

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of a 10 GHz electromagnetic field on male rat's reproductive system.

Background/further details

70 days old male rats were sham exposed (n=6) or exposed (n=6) to an electromagnetic field. Immediately after the experiment, blood samples and sperms were collected.

Endpoint

effects on the reproductive system: lipid peroxidation, melatonin content and creatine kinase enzyme activity in sperms

Exposure

- 10 GHz
- microwaves

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 10 GHz Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h/day on 45 days	power density: 0.21 mW/cm² SAR: 0.014 W/kg

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	10 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 2 h/day on 45 days

Exposure setup

Exposure source	horn antenna
Setup	six rats placed in a 22 cm x 7 cm x 7.5 cm cage, lined from the outside with anechoic material except for the top, ventilated by 1 cm diameter holes and located under the horn antenna
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	0.21 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	-
SAR	0.014 W/kg	-	calculated	whole body	-

Measurement and calculation details

SAR was calculated for an average size of small animals following the work of Durney et al. (Durney, C. H., Iskander, M. F., Massoudi, H., Johnson, C. C. (1984). An empirical formula for broad band SAR calculations of prolate spheroidal models of humans and animal. In: Osepchuk, J. M. Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation (pp. 85-90) New York: IEEE Press).

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the reproductive system: lipid peroxidation in sperms (malondialdehyde content via thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, spectrophotometry), creatine kinase enzyme activity in sperms (commercial assay)
effects on the immune system: number of leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, thrombocytes, red blood cells and hemoglobin content (automated blood count)
endocrine changes: serum melatonin level (ELISA)
hemoglobin level (automated blood count)

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
intact cell/cell culture
blood samples, sperms, cell supernatants

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The level of malondialdehyde and the activity of creatine kinase were significantly increased, while the level of melatonin was significantly decreased in the exposed group as compared to the sham exposed group. Additionally, the content of hemoglobin, as well as the numbers of total leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, thrombocytes and red blood cells were significantly decreased in the exposed animals in comparison to the sham exposed animals.
The authors conclude that these results are indications of deleterious effects of 10 GHz electromagnetic fields on the reproductive pattern of male rats.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
blind study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Tas M et al. (2014): Long-term effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from mobile phone on testicular tissue and epididymal semen quality
Meena R et al. (2014): Therapeutic approaches of melatonin in microwave radiations-induced oxidative stress-mediated toxicity on male fertility pattern of Wistar rats
Kumar S et al. (2013): Influence of electromagnetic fields on reproductive system of male rats
Kesari KK et al. (2013): Biophysical evaluation of radiofrequency electromagnetic field effects on male reproductive pattern
Ozlem Nisbet H et al. (2012): Effects of exposure to electromagnetic field (1.8/0.9 GHz) on testicular function and structure in growing rats
Lee HJ et al. (2012): The effects of simultaneous combined exposure to CDMA and WCDMA electromagnetic fields on rat testicular function
Imai N et al. (2011): Effects on rat testis of 1.95-GHz W-CDMA for IMT-2000 cellular phones
Kesari KK et al. (2011): Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic wave exposure from cellular phones on the reproductive pattern in male wistar rats
Kumar S et al. (2011): Influence of microwave exposure on fertility of male rats
Lee HJ et al. (2010): The lack of histological changes of CDMA cellular phone-based radio frequency on rat testis
Kesari KK et al. (2010): Microwave exposure affecting reproductive system in male rats
Kesari KK et al. (2010): Mobile phone usage and male infertility in Wistar rats
Mailankot M et al. (2009): Radio frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from GSM (0.9/1.8GHz) mobile phones induces oxidative stress and reduces sperm motility in rats
Dasdag S et al. (2008): Mobile phone exposure does not induce apoptosis on spermatogenesis in rats
Yan JG et al. (2007): Effects of cellular phone emissions on sperm motility in rats
Ozguner M et al. (2005): Biological and morphological effects on the reproductive organ of rats after exposure to electromagnetic field
Dasdag S et al. (2003): Whole body exposure of rats to microwaves emitted from a cell phone does not affect the testes
Akdag MZ et al. (1999): Effect of chronic low-intensity microwave radiation on sperm count, sperm morphology, and testicular and epididymal tissues of rats
Dasdag S et al. (1999): Whole-body microwave exposure emitted by cellular phones and testicular function of rats