Potential influence of prenatal 2.45 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure on Wistar albino rat testis

Abstract

Potential influence of prenatal 2.45 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure on Wistar albino rat testis Viera Almášiová, Katarína Holovská, Sandra Andrašková, Viera Cigánková, Zuzana Ševčíková, Adam Raček, Zuzana Andrejčáková, Katarína Beňová, Štefan Tóth, Eva Tvrdá, Ján Molnár, Enikö Račeková. Potential influence of prenatal 2.45 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure on Wistar albino rat testis. Histol Histopathol. 2021 Mar 25;18331. doi: 10.14670/HH-18-331. Abstract An ever-increasing use of wireless devices over the last decades has forced scientists to clarify their impact on living systems. Since prenatal development is highly sensitive to numerous noxious agents, including radiation, we focused on the assessment of potential adverse effects of microwave radiation (MR) on testicular development. Pregnant Wistar albino rats (3 months old, weighing 282±8 g) were exposed to pulsed MR at a frequency of 2.45 GHz, mean power density of 2.8 mW/cm², and a specific absorption rate of 1.82 W/kg for 2 hours/day throughout pregnancy. Male offspring were no longer exposed to MR following birth. Samples of biological material were collected after reaching adulthood (75 days). In utero MR exposure caused degenerative changes in the testicular parenchyma of adult rats. The shape of the seminiferous tubules was irregular, germ cells were degenerated and often desquamated. The diameters of the seminiferous tubules and the height of the germinal epithelium were significantly decreased (both at ∗∗p<0.01), while the interstitial space was significantly increased (∗∗p<0.01) when compared to the controls. In the group of rats prenatally exposed to MR, the somatic and germ cells were rich in vacuoles and their organelles were often altered. Necrotizing cells were more frequent and empty spaces between Sertoli cells and germ cells were observed. The Leydig cells contained more lipid droplets. An increased Fluoro Jade - C and superoxide dismutase 2 positivity was detected in the rats exposed to MR. Our results confirmed adverse effects of MR on testicular development. Open access paper: hh.um.es

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Pregnant rats exposed to pulsed 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (mean power density 2.8 mW/cm²; SAR 1.82 W/kg) for 2 hours/day throughout pregnancy had male offspring with degenerative changes in testicular parenchyma at 75 days. Seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelium height were significantly decreased and interstitial space significantly increased versus controls (p<0.01), with more frequent necrotizing cells and increased Fluoro Jade-C and SOD2 positivity.

Outcomes measured

• Testicular development/histopathology (testicular parenchyma, seminiferous tubules, germinal epithelium, interstitial space)
• Cellular degeneration/desquamation/necrosis in testis
• Leydig cell lipid droplets
• Fluoro Jade-C positivity
• Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) positivity

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Exposure setup details beyond frequency/power density/SAR (e.g., distance, modulation specifics beyond 'pulsed') not fully described in abstract
• Outcomes limited to rat model; human relevance not assessed in abstract

Suggested hubs

• rf-microwave (0.9)
  Prenatal exposure to 2.45 GHz microwave/RF-EMF with reported SAR and histological outcomes.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": "wireless devices (general)",
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": 1.8200000000000000621724893790087662637233734130859375,
        "duration": "2 hours/day throughout pregnancy (prenatal exposure); no exposure after birth; outcomes assessed at 75 days"
    },
    "population": "Pregnant Wistar albino rats and male offspring assessed in adulthood (75 days)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Testicular development/histopathology (testicular parenchyma, seminiferous tubules, germinal epithelium, interstitial space)",
        "Cellular degeneration/desquamation/necrosis in testis",
        "Leydig cell lipid droplets",
        "Fluoro Jade-C positivity",
        "Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) positivity"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Pregnant rats exposed to pulsed 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (mean power density 2.8 mW/cm²; SAR 1.82 W/kg) for 2 hours/day throughout pregnancy had male offspring with degenerative changes in testicular parenchyma at 75 days. Seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelium height were significantly decreased and interstitial space significantly increased versus controls (p<0.01), with more frequent necrotizing cells and increased Fluoro Jade-C and SOD2 positivity.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Exposure setup details beyond frequency/power density/SAR (e.g., distance, modulation specifics beyond 'pulsed') not fully described in abstract",
        "Outcomes limited to rat model; human relevance not assessed in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "prenatal exposure",
        "2.45 GHz",
        "microwave radiation",
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic field",
        "SAR",
        "power density",
        "Wistar rat",
        "testis",
        "seminiferous tubules",
        "Leydig cells",
        "SOD2",
        "Fluoro Jade-C"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "rf-microwave",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Prenatal exposure to 2.45 GHz microwave/RF-EMF with reported SAR and histological outcomes."
        }
    ]
}

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