Effects of wireless local area network exposure on testicular morphology and VEGF levels

Abstract

Category: Toxicology Tags: EMF, wireless LAN, testicular damage, VEGF, HIF1A-VEGF pathway, male fertility, 2.45 GHz DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-37323-2 URL: nature.com Overview This study investigated the impact of exposure to a 2.45 GHz electromagnetic field (EMF), typical of wireless local area networks (WLAN), on testicular health in rats. The focus was on both histological changes and alterations in the HIF1A-VEGF pathway, crucial for vascular function and tissue health. - 🌡️ Twenty-four adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into a control group (no EMF exposure) and an experimental group (exposed to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation at 3 V/m, SAR 0.00208 W/kg) for one hour daily over 60 days. - 🔬 Testicular tissue was analyzed post-exposure for: - Histopathological changes - Gene expression levels (VEGFA and HIF1A) - VEGFA protein concentration Findings - ⬆️ VEGFA gene expression (p < 0.05) and protein levels (p < 0.001) were elevated in the EMF-exposed group, while HIF1A expression remained unchanged. - 🔻 Significant histological damage was observed in the EMF group: - Reduced seminiferous tubule diameter (p < 0.001) - Decreased epithelial thickness (p < 0.001) - Lower tubule density (p < 0.001) - Reduced Sertoli cell count (p = 0.0098) Conclusion Exposure to EMF at 2.45 GHz increases VEGF levels independently of HIF1A, suggesting the risk of testicular damage associated with wireless LAN frequency EMF. This provides clear evidence of a link between EMF exposure and male reproductive health risks.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Compared with controls, rats exposed to 2.45 GHz EMF showed increased VEGFA gene expression (p < 0.05) and VEGFA protein levels (p < 0.001), with no significant change in HIF1A gene expression. Histology showed reduced seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, tubule density (all p < 0.001), and Sertoli cell count (p = 0.0098) in the exposed group.

Outcomes measured

• Testicular histopathology (seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, tubule density, Sertoli cell count)
• VEGFA gene expression
• HIF1A gene expression
• VEGFA protein concentration

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": "wireless local area network (WLAN) / 2.45 GHz EMF",
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": 0.0020799999999999998177846460833961828029714524745941162109375,
        "duration": "1 hour daily for 60 days"
    },
    "population": "Adult male albino Wistar rats",
    "sample_size": 24,
    "outcomes": [
        "Testicular histopathology (seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, tubule density, Sertoli cell count)",
        "VEGFA gene expression",
        "HIF1A gene expression",
        "VEGFA protein concentration"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Compared with controls, rats exposed to 2.45 GHz EMF showed increased VEGFA gene expression (p < 0.05) and VEGFA protein levels (p < 0.001), with no significant change in HIF1A gene expression. Histology showed reduced seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, tubule density (all p < 0.001), and Sertoli cell count (p = 0.0098) in the exposed group.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "2.45 GHz",
        "microwave radiation",
        "WLAN",
        "Wi-Fi",
        "rat",
        "testis",
        "testicular morphology",
        "VEGFA",
        "HIF1A",
        "Sertoli cells",
        "seminiferous tubules",
        "SAR"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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