Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The effects of electromagnetic waves emitted by the cell phones on the testicular tissue med./bio.

By: Karaman MI, Gokce AM, Koca O, Karaman B, Ozturk MI, Yurdakul N, Ercan F

Published in: Arch Ital Urol Androl 2014; 86 (4): 274-277

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of rats to the electromagnetic field from a mobile phone on testes histology should be investigated.

Background/further details

21 male adult rats were divided into the following groups (n=7, respectively): 1) exposure to a mobile phone for 24 hours/day (8 hours talk mode, 16 hours standby mode) for 20 days, 2) similar to group 1 and additional subsequent continuous exposure to the mobile phone in standby mode for further 20 days (total of 40 days), 3) control group.
(remark EMF-Portal: there are contradictory and unclear specifications on the exposure patterns in the abstract and methods section)

Endpoint

effects on the reproductive system: histology of rat testes

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: RF (≥ 10 MHz) Exposure duration: 8 hours/day in talk mode and 16 hours/day in standby mode for 20 days	SAR: 1.52 W/kg (probably manufacturer information)
Exposure 2: RF (≥ 10 MHz) Exposure duration: exposure to a mobile phone for 8 hours/day in talk mode and 16 hours/day in standby mode for 20 days and subsequent continuous exposure to the mobile phone in standby mode for 20 days (total of 40 days)	SAR: 1.52 W/kg (probably manufacturer information)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	RF (≥ 10 MHz)
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	8 hours/day in talk mode and 16 hours/day in standby mode for 20 days

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone Philips Genie 900
Chamber	cages of 40 x 60 cm, temperature of 22 ± 2°C
Setup	cell phones were suspended 1 cm above the cover of the cage and were plugged in the charger for 24 hours

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	1.52 W/kg	-	-	-	probably manufacturer information

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	RF (≥ 10 MHz)
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	exposure to a mobile phone for 8 hours/day in talk mode and 16 hours/day in standby mode for 20 days and subsequent continuous exposure to the mobile phone in standby mode for 20 days (total of 40 days)

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	1.52 W/kg	-	-	-	probably manufacturer information

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar albino
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the reproductive system: see "morphological/histopathologcial changes"
morphol./histopathol. changes: assessment of histopathological changes in rat testes (number of germ cells and Sertoli cells; changes in intercellular connections, cellular organization and cytoplasm; cellular damages, e.g., pyknosis, abnormal formation of germ cells and Sertoli cells; hematoxylin-eosin stain, microscopy); ultrastructure of testes (stain with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, transmission electron microscopy)

Investigated system:

tissue slices

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Groups 1 and 2 showed significant histopathological changes compared to the control group, including a high number of immature cells in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules, irregular tubules with reduced spermatogenic cells and tubules without lumen. No differences were detected between groups 1 and 2.
The authors conclude that exposure of rats to the electromagnetic field from a mobile phone might cause histopathological changes in testes.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Pandey N et al. (2017): Radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz)-induced DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in testicular germ cells in swiss albino mice
Tumkaya L et al. (2016): Mobile phone radiation during pubertal development has no effect on testicular histology in rats
Mugunthan N et al. (2015): Effects of chronic exposure to 2G and 3G cell phone radiation on mice testis - A randomized controlled trial
Odaci E et al. (2015): Exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field for 1 hour a day over 30 days does change the histopathology and biochemistry of the rat testis
Mugunthan N et al. (2014): Effects of long term exposure to a 2G cell phone radiation (900 - 1900 MHz) on mouse testis
Kumar S et al. (2014): Effect of electromagnetic irradiation produced by 3G mobile phone on male rat reproductive system in a simulated scenario
Tas M et al. (2014): Long-term effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from mobile phone on testicular tissue and epididymal semen quality
Trosic I et al. (2013): Histological and cytological examination of rat reproductive tissue after short-time intermittent radiofrequency exposure
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
Celik S et al. (2012): An evaluation of the effects of long-term cell phone use on the testes via light and electron microscope analysis
Imai N et al. (2011): Effects on rat testis of 1.95-GHz W-CDMA for IMT-2000 cellular phones
Lee HJ et al. (2010): The lack of histological changes of CDMA cellular phone-based radio frequency on rat testis
Ribeiro EP et al. (2007): Effects of subchronic exposure to radio frequency from a conventional cellular telephone on testicular function in adult rats
Forgacs Z et al. (2006): Effect of whole-body 1800MHz GSM-like microwave exposure on testicular steroidogenesis and histology in mice
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

The effects of electromagnetic waves emitted by the cell phones on the testicular tissue med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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