Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Analysis of rat testicular proteome following 30-day exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic field radiation med./bio.

By: Sepehrimanesh M, Kazemipour N, Saeb M, Nazifi S
Published in: Electrophoresis 2014; 35 (23): 3331-3338
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of a whole body exposure of rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on the protein expression pattern in the testes should be investigated.

Background/further details

20 rats were divided into the following groups (n=5 each group): 1) sham exposure, 2) 1 h exposure, 3) 2 h exposure and 4) 4 h exposure. Experiments were conducted at least in triplicates.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure for 1 h on 30 consecutive days
Exposure 2: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure for 2 h on 30 consecutive days
Exposure 3: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure for 4 h on 30 consecutive days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration repeated daily exposure for 1 h on 30 consecutive days
Exposure setup
Chamber 5 freely moving rats were exposed in a pure transparent polycarbonate cage of 42 cm Π26.5 cm Π15 cm near the antenna
Setup temperature was 22 ± 2°C and relative humidity was 50%
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 86 mW/cm² mean - - -
power density 22.8 mW/cm² minimum - - -
power density 146.8 mW/cm² maximum - - -
SAR 0.19 W/g mean estimated whole body minimum value
SAR 1.22 W/g mean estimated whole body maximum value

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration repeated daily exposure for 2 h on 30 consecutive days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 86 mW/cm² mean - - -
power density 22.8 mW/cm² minimum - - -
power density 146.8 mW/cm² maximum - - -
SAR 0.19 W/g mean estimated whole body minimum value
SAR 1.22 W/g mean estimated whole body maximum value

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration repeated daily exposure for 4 h on 30 consecutive days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 86 mW/cm² mean - - -
power density 22.8 mW/cm² minimum - - -
power density 146.8 mW/cm² maximum - - -
SAR 0.19 W/g mean estimated whole body minimum value
SAR 1.22 W/g mean estimated whole body maximum value

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant differences were found in weight and total protein concentration of testes between the groups. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed 16 protein spots that were found only in the sham-exposed group, while 18 protein spots existed only in the exposed groups. No clear differences in the protein expression pattern were found between the exposure groups. 6 proteins which were found only in the sham-exposed group and 7 proteins which were found only in the exposed groups were identified, e.g. several heat shock proteins in the exposed groups and a superoxide dismutase in the sham exposure.
The authors conclude that an exposure of rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field could induce the expression or the absence of proteins related to stress and stress protection, respectively, in the testes. Further studies are needed to confirm and extend the results of this preliminary study.

Study character:

Study funded by

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