Effects of 4G mobile phone radiation exposure on reproductive, hepatic, renal, and hematological parameters of male Wistar rat

Abstract

Effects of 4G mobile phone radiation exposure on reproductive, hepatic, renal, and hematological parameters of male Wistar rat My note: Although this study exposed animals to a 4G carrier frequency (i.e., 2350 MHz), the signal generator (Keysight N9310A) used in this study provides a continuous wave signal which is not 4G. Gautam R, Pardhiya S, Nirala JP, Sarsaiya P, Rajamani P. Effects of 4G mobile phone radiation exposure on reproductive, hepatic, renal, and hematological parameters of male Wistar rat. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Dec 16. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-31367-x. Abstract Background and objective: Mobile phones have become a vital part of human life. Due to drastic increase in the number of mobile phone subscribers, exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted from these phones has increased dramatically. Hence, the effect of RFR on humans is an area of concern. This study was performed to determine the impact of 4G mobile phone radiation on the male reproductive system, liver, kidney, and hematological parameters. Methods: Seventy-day-old Wistar rats were exposed to 4G radiation (2350 MHz for 2 h/day for 56 days). Sperm parameters such as sperm count, viability, sperm head morphology, mitochondrial activity, total antioxidant activity, and lipid peroxidation of sperm were evaluated. Histopathology of the testis, prostate, epididymis, seminal vesicle, liver, and kidney was carried out. Complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests, and testosterone hormone analysis were done. Results: At the end of the experiment, results showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in sperm viability with alterations in the histology of the liver, kidney, testis, and other reproductive organs in the exposed group of rats. A reduced level of testosterone, total antioxidant capacity, and decreased sperm mitochondrial function were also observed in the exposed rats. Moreover, the exposed rats showed an increase in sperm lipid peroxidation and sperm abnormality. Hematological parameters like hemoglobin, red blood cells (RBC), and packed cell volume (PCV) showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the exposed rats. Conclusion: The results indicate that chronic exposure to 4G radiation may affect the male reproductive system, hematological system, liver, and kidney of rats. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Excerpts Previous reports suggest the adverse effect of electromagnetic radiation on different organs, viz., testis (Gaharwar et al. 2022; Pardhiya et al. 2022), liver (Alkis et al. 2021), kidney (Pardhiya et al. 2020; Hasan et al. 2021), brain (Delen et al. 2021; Hasan et al. 2022), parotid gland (Siqueira et al. 2016), and hormonal changes in the male and female reproductive systems (Kozlowska et al. 2022). Mobile phone usage may also increase the risk of early spontaneous abortions in pregnant women (Mahmoudabadi et al. 2018). Various in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological studies have shown a higher risk of cancer upon a longer duration of exposure to these radiations (Cardis et al. 2011; Gupta et al. 2020). Epidemiological studies have shown the occurrence of sleep disorders, headaches, behavioral changes, and early spontaneous abortions (Hillert et al. 2008). Radiation emitted from mobile phones has been categorized as a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (Miller et al. 2019).... After exposure of rats to 4G frequency (2350 MHz) for 56 days, results obtained have showed alterations in sperm viability, count, head abnormality, and sperm mitochondrial activity of rats. A decrease in testosterone level may be associated with Leydig cell injury or its reduced function. RFR also induced histopathological alterations in the male reproductive organs, liver, and kidney. Some of the hematological parameters and liver function parameters showed significant changes while no significant changes in kidney function parameters were observed after the exposure. The results indicate that 4G radiation increases oxidative stress, induces peroxidation of membrane lipids, and decreases total antioxidant capacity in the testis. In the present experiment, among the sperm parameters studied, only sperm viability decreased significantly in the exposed group. However, long-term exposure may decrease sperm count and quality as well. Significant alterations in kidney and liver function tests may also result upon the longer duration of exposure. Thus, it may be concluded that 4G radiation (Carrier frequency 2350 MHz) can affect the reproductive, renal, and hepatic system of male Wistar rat. In order to further explore the impact of 4G radiation on reproductive health, cellular and molecular studies could be done in reproductive cells. In vitro as well as in vivo studies with varying time duration could be conducted to understand the underlying mechanism and cell signaling pathways involved in the alterations induced by 4G radiation. The relationship between the dosage of 4G radiation and reproductive health outcomes with variation in exposure duration could be done to determine the thresholds at which adverse effects may occur. Further, effects of 4G radiation could be examined among different age groups of animals. Young, mature, and aged animals may respond differently, and understanding age-dependent effects is important for assessing long-term implications. Behavioral aspects of reproductive health in animals after long- term exposure to 4G radiation could be examined. Future work can be done to check if 4G radiation can induce genetic or epigenetic changes such as DNA integrity, gene expression and epigenetic modifications in reproductive cells and tissues. After exposure of rats to 4G frequency (2350 MHz) for 56 days, results obtained have showed alterations in sperm viability, count, head abnormality, and sperm mitochondrial activity of rats. A decrease in testosterone level may be associated with Leydig cell injury or its reduced function. RFR also induced histopathological alterations in the male reproductive organs, liver, and kidney. Some of the hematological parameters and liver function parameters showed significant changes while no significant changes in kidney function parameters were observed after the exposure. The results indicate that 4G radiation increases oxidative stress, induces peroxidation of membrane lipids, and decreases total antioxidant capacity in the testis. In the present experiment, among the sperm parameters studied, only sperm viability decreased significantly in the exposed group. However, long-term exposure may decrease sperm count and quality as well. Significant alterations in kidney and liver function tests may also result upon the longer duration of exposure. Thus, it may be concluded that 4G radiation (Carrier frequency 2350 MHz) can affect the reproductive, renal, and hepatic system of male Wistar rat. In order to further explore the impact of 4G radiation on reproductive health, cellular and molecular studies could be done in reproductive cells. In vitro as well as in vivo studies with varying time duration could be conducted to understand the underlying mechanism and cell signaling pathways involved in the alterations induced by 4G radiation. The relationship between the dosage of 4G radiation and reproductive health outcomes with variation in exposure duration could be done to determine the thresholds at which adverse effects may occur. Further, effects of 4G radiation could be examined among different age groups of animals. Young, mature, and aged animals may respond differently, and understanding age-dependent effects is important for assessing long-term implications. Behavioral aspects of reproductive health in animals after long- term exposure to 4G radiation could be examined. Future work can be done to check if 4G radiation can induce genetic or epigenetic changes such as DNA integrity, gene expression and epigenetic modifications in reproductive cells and tissues. Adult male Wistar rats (7 weeks old) were grouped in two sets of sham-exposed (Control) and exposed with 6 rats per group.... The experimental group of rats was kept in plexiglass cages and placed inside the anechoic chamber (Fig. 1). The desired power signal was obtained by transmitting carrier signal from a signal generator (Keysight model no - N9310A) at 4G frequency (LTE Band 40) 2350 MHz. The power of the signal was low, thus was amplified by the amplifier (Amplifier Research Model number-1S1G4) before being sent to the WR-340 waveguide horn antenna (pyramidal shaped and 15dBi gain), which radiates the signal on the experimental animals (kept at 20 cm distance from the horn antenna). Animals were kept in plexiglass cone-shaped cages (dimensions length 25 cm × minimum and maximum width 3.5 and 8.5 cm × height 6 cm) exposed to Carrier signal 4G frequency of 2350 MHz (2 h/day) for 56 days. Power density was measured inside the cage by Narda measurement system NBM-520 (probe model 5092). Animals were exposed to the average power density of 0.2488 mW/cm2, and the average specific absorption rate (SAR) calculated for exposed group animals was 0.0625 Watt/kg (Durney et al. 1979).... After exposure of rats to 4G frequency (2350 MHz) for 56 days, results obtained have showed alterations in sperm viability, count, head abnormality, and sperm mitochondrial activity of rats. A decrease in testosterone level may be associated with Leydig cell injury or its reduced function. RFR also induced histopathological alterations in the male reproductive organs, liver, and kidney. Some of the hematological parameters and liver function parameters showed significant changes while no significant changes in kidney function parameters were observed after the exposure. The results indicate that 4G radiation increases oxidative stress, induces peroxidation of membrane lipids, and decreases total antioxidant capacity in the testis. In the present experiment, among the sperm parameters studied, only sperm viability decreased significantly in the exposed group. However, long-term exposure may decrease sperm count and quality as well. Significant alterations in kidney and liver function tests may also result upon the longer duration of exposure. Thus, it may be concluded that 4G radiation (Carrier frequency 2350 MHz) can affect the reproductive, renal, and hepatic system of male Wistar rat. In order to further explore the impact of 4G radiation on reproductive health, cellular and molecular studies could be done in reproductive cells. In vitro as well as in vivo studies with varying time duration could be conducted to understand the underlying mechanism and cell signaling pathways involved in the alterations induced by 4G radiation. The relationship between the dosage of 4G radiation and reproductive health outcomes with variation in exposure duration could be done to determine the thresholds at which adverse effects may occur. Further, effects of 4G radiation could be examined among different age groups of animals. Young, mature, and aged animals may respond differently, and understanding age-dependent effects is important for assessing long-term implications. Behavioral aspects of reproductive health in animals after long- term exposure to 4G radiation could be examined. Future work can be done to check if 4G radiation can induce genetic or epigenetic changes such as DNA integrity, gene expression and epigenetic modifications in reproductive cells and tissues.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Rats exposed to 2350 MHz for 2 h/day for 56 days showed a significant decrease in sperm viability, reduced testosterone and total antioxidant capacity, decreased sperm mitochondrial function, and increased sperm lipid peroxidation and sperm abnormality. Histological alterations were reported in liver, kidney, testis, and other reproductive organs. Hemoglobin, RBC, and PCV significantly increased; the abstract notes no significant changes in kidney function parameters.

Outcomes measured

• Sperm parameters (count, viability, head morphology/abnormality, mitochondrial activity)
• Sperm oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant activity/capacity, lipid peroxidation)
• Histopathology of testis, prostate, epididymis, seminal vesicle, liver, kidney
• Complete blood count (hemoglobin, RBC, PCV)
• Liver function tests
• Kidney function tests
• Testosterone hormone level

Limitations

• Exposure described as '4G' but uses a carrier signal from a signal generator (continuous wave implied in provided note/excerpts), which may not replicate real 4G modulation.
• Sample size not clearly stated in the abstract (an excerpt mentions 6 rats per group, but total N is not explicitly provided in the abstract).
• Animal study; generalizability to humans is uncertain.
• Exposure metrics beyond frequency/SAR (e.g., modulation details) not fully described in the abstract.

Suggested hubs

• mobile-phones (0.9)
  Study evaluates effects of '4G mobile phone radiation' (2350 MHz) exposure.
• animal-studies (0.85)
  In vivo experiment in male Wistar rats with controlled RF exposure.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone (4G/LTE carrier signal via signal generator and horn antenna)",
        "frequency_mhz": 2350,
        "sar_wkg": 0.0625,
        "duration": "2 h/day for 56 days"
    },
    "population": "Male Wistar rats (70-day-old; ~7 weeks old)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Sperm parameters (count, viability, head morphology/abnormality, mitochondrial activity)",
        "Sperm oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant activity/capacity, lipid peroxidation)",
        "Histopathology of testis, prostate, epididymis, seminal vesicle, liver, kidney",
        "Complete blood count (hemoglobin, RBC, PCV)",
        "Liver function tests",
        "Kidney function tests",
        "Testosterone hormone level"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Rats exposed to 2350 MHz for 2 h/day for 56 days showed a significant decrease in sperm viability, reduced testosterone and total antioxidant capacity, decreased sperm mitochondrial function, and increased sperm lipid peroxidation and sperm abnormality. Histological alterations were reported in liver, kidney, testis, and other reproductive organs. Hemoglobin, RBC, and PCV significantly increased; the abstract notes no significant changes in kidney function parameters.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure described as '4G' but uses a carrier signal from a signal generator (continuous wave implied in provided note/excerpts), which may not replicate real 4G modulation.",
        "Sample size not clearly stated in the abstract (an excerpt mentions 6 rats per group, but total N is not explicitly provided in the abstract).",
        "Animal study; generalizability to humans is uncertain.",
        "Exposure metrics beyond frequency/SAR (e.g., modulation details) not fully described in the abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "4G",
        "LTE Band 40",
        "2350 MHz",
        "radiofrequency radiation",
        "SAR",
        "Wistar rat",
        "male reproductive system",
        "sperm viability",
        "testosterone",
        "oxidative stress",
        "lipid peroxidation",
        "histopathology",
        "liver",
        "kidney",
        "hematology"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
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            "reason": "In vivo experiment in male Wistar rats with controlled RF exposure."
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}

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