Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Impact of 900 MHz electromagnetic field exposure on main male reproductive hormone levels: a Rattus norvegicus model med./bio.

By: Sepehrimanesh M, Saeb M, Nazifi S, Kazemipour N, Jelodar G, Saeb S
Published in: Int J Biometeorol 2014; 58 (7): 1657-1663
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of exposure to radiofrequency fields on reproductive hormone levels in the blood serum of male rats.

Background/further details

Four groups of rats were examined (n=5 per group): 1.) sham exposure, 2.) 1 h/day exposure, 3.) 2 h/day exposure and 4.) 4 h/day exposure. Rats were exposed for 30 days. Blood samples were taken before, during (after 15 days) and after the exposure period.
Activin B and inhibin B are proteins which can regulate the follicle stimulating hormone secretion at the pituitary.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: 1 h/day for 30 consecutive days
Exposure 2: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: 2 h/day for 30 consecutive days
Exposure 3: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: 4 h/day for 30 consecutive days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 1 h/day for 30 consecutive days
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber five freely moving rats were kept in one transparent polycarbonate cage without metallic parts (42 cm x 26.5 cm x 15 cm)
Setup signal generator with a 12 cm dipole antenna which diffused a 900 MHz continuous wave in the spherical mode; output was monitored by a spectrum analyzer to ensure the correct forward power for the exposed animals; temperature was monitored continuously and was 23 ± 1°C
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.19 W/kg minimum estimated whole body -
SAR 1.22 W/kg maximum estimated whole body -
power density 22.8 mW/cm² minimum - - -
power density 86 mW/cm² mean - - -
power density 146.8 mW/cm² maximum - - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 2 h/day for 30 consecutive days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.19 W/kg minimum estimated whole body -
SAR 1.22 W/kg maximum estimated whole body -
power density 22.8 mW/cm² minimum - - -
power density 86 mW/cm² mean - - -
power density 146.8 mW/cm² maximum - - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 4 h/day for 30 consecutive days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.19 W/kg minimum estimated whole body -
SAR 1.22 W/kg maximum estimated whole body -
power density 22.8 mW/cm² minimum - - -
power density 86 mW/cm² mean - - -
power density 146.8 mW/cm² maximum - - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

After 30 days of 4 hours daily exposure, the levels of the follicle stimulating hormone and the luteinizing hormone were significantly increased compared to the sham exposure. Additionally after 30 days, the levels of activin B and prolactin were significantly increased in the group exposed for four hours daily in comparison to the sham exposure and to the group exposed for 1 hour daily, while the level of inhibin B was significantly decreased. The serum level of testosterone was significantly decreased in the 4 hours exposed group after 30 days when compared to the 1 hour and 2 hours exposure group.
The authors conclude that exposure to radiofrequency fields can disturb reproductive hormone levels in the serum of rats.

Study character:

Study funded by

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