Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of long-term exposure of 2.4 GHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from Wi-Fi equipment on testes functions med./bio.

By: Dasdag S, Tas M, Akdag MZ, Yegin K

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2015; 34 (1): 37-42

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of chronic exposure of male rats to a 2.4 GHz electromagnetic field on the reproductive system should be investigated.

Background/further details

Rats were divided into 2 groups (n=8 each): 1) exposure and 2) sham exposure.

Endpoint

effects on the reproductive system: effects on sperms and reproductive organs

Exposure

- 2.4 GHz
- RF
- W-LAN/WiFi

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.4 GHz Exposure duration: continuous for 1 year (24 h/day)	power: 50 mW effective value (emission power) SAR: 4,880 µW/kg mean (point value for testes and prostate) SAR: 2,420 µW/kg mean (1 g) (for testes and prostate) SAR: 1,020 µW/kg mean (10 g) (for testes and prostate)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.4 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	far field
Exposure duration	continuous for 1 year (24 h/day)
Additional info	signal was declared as WiFi

Exposure setup

Exposure source	antenna
Chamber	plexiglass cage (55 x 32 x 20 cm)
Setup	generator with antenna was used to represent exposure to Wi-Fi systems; rats were kept freely in the cage, 50 cm away from the antenna; ambient temperature of 22°C and relative humidity of 45% were maintained
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	study was performed in Faraday cages to eliminate outdoor electromagnetic fields

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	50 mW	effective value	-	-	emission power
SAR	4,880 µW/kg	mean	measured and calculated	-	point value for testes and prostate
SAR	2,420 µW/kg	mean	measured and calculated	1 g	for testes and prostate
SAR	1,020 µW/kg	mean	measured and calculated	10 g	for testes and prostate

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the reproductive system: weights of testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate; epididymal sperm parameters: concentration (hemocytometer), tail malformations, head malformations, total morphological malformations (eosin stain, light microscopy) and sperm motility (phase contrast microscopy)
morphol./histopathol. changes: histopathological evaluation (Johnson's biopsy score), thickness of tunica albuginea and diameter of seminiferous tubules (hematoxylin-eosin stain, light microscopy)

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture
tissue slices
isolated organ
sperms

Investigated organ system:

reproductive system

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The amount of head malformations in sperms was significantly increased, whereas the weights of the epididymis and seminal vesicle, seminiferous tubules diameter and tunica albuginea thickness were significantly decreased in the exposure group compared to the sham exposure group. All other parameters did not show any significant differences between the groups.
The authors conclude that chronic exposure of male rats to a 2.4 GHz electromagnetic field could influence some parameters of the reproductive system with possibly detrimental consequences.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
partially blinded

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Chauhan P et al. (2017): Microwave radiation (2.45 GHz)-induced oxidative stress: Whole-body exposure effect on histopathology of Wistar rats
Kumar S et al. (2014): Effect of electromagnetic irradiation produced by 3G mobile phone on male rat reproductive system in a simulated scenario
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