Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Whole-body microwave exposure emitted by cellular phones and testicular function of rats med./bio.

Published in: Urol Res 1999; 27 (3): 219-223

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the histological changes originating from microwaves emitted by cellular phones.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 890–915 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure for 2 h/day for 1 month

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 890–915 MHz
Type
Exposure duration repeated daily exposure for 2 h/day for 1 month
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 0.5 cm
Setup The cellular phones were placed 0.5 cm under the Plexiglas cages.
Additional info Rats were separated into three groups: sham exposed phone in standby mode phone turned to speech mode for 1 min 3x in 2 h.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 2 W peak value - - -
SAR 0.141 W/kg - - - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The decrease of epididymal sperm counts in the speech groups (experimental group, phones were turned to the speech position) was not found to be significant. Differences in terms of normal and abnormal sperm forms were not revealed. Histological changes were especially found in the testes of animals of the speech groups. Seminiferous tubular diameter of rat testes in the standby (cellular phones were in standby position) and speech groups was found to be lower than in the sham exposed group.
Rectal temperatures of animals in the speech group were found to be higher than rectal temperatures of rats in the sham and standby groups. The rectal temperatures of animals before and after irradiation were also found to be significantly higher in the speech group. Thus, the animals are affected by heat generated following microwave exposure.

Study character:

Study funded by

Replication studies

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