Effect of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on the fertility pattern in male mice.

PAPER pubmed General physiology and biophysics 2018 Animal study Effect: harm Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.4149/gpb_2017059 PMID: 30220680 Evidence Lab

Abstract

A number of studies have reported that male reproductive organs are susceptible to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). The aim of this study was to explore the effects of microwave radiation exposures on 6-8 weeks old male Swiss albino mice. Mice were divided into two groups: group I - sham-exposed (Control), and group II - microwaves-exposed (MWs). Mice were exposed to 2.45 GHz with power density 0.25 mW/cm2 and specific absorbtion rate (SAR) 0.09 W/kg. Exposure was given in Plexiglas cages for 2 h/day for 30 days. Results showed that 2.45 GHz microwave radiation resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.001) in catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decrease (p < 0.001) in the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), testosterone and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p < 0.05). Flow cytometer analysis of blood showed the formation of micronuclei in microwave-exposed group. Histopathological changes were also seen in seminiferous tubules of microwave-exposed group as compared to the sham-exposed group. It is concluded that 2.45 GHz microwave radiation exposure causes oxidative stress in testes and it may lead to detrimental and injurious effects on fertility potential of the male reproductive system of Swiss albino mice.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

harm

Population

6–8 weeks old male Swiss albino mice

Sample size

—

Exposure

microwave · 2450 MHz · 0.09 W/kg · 2 h/day for 30 days

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Male mice exposed to 2.45 GHz microwaves (0.25 mW/cm2; SAR 0.09 W/kg) for 2 h/day for 30 days showed increased CAT, MDA and ROS and decreased GPx, testosterone and SOD compared with sham-exposed controls. Micronuclei formation in blood and histopathological changes in seminiferous tubules were reported in the exposed group.

Outcomes measured

Catalase (CAT)
Malondialdehyde (MDA)
Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
Glutathione peroxidase (GPx)
Testosterone
Superoxide dismutase (SOD)
Micronuclei formation (blood; flow cytometry)
Histopathological changes in seminiferous tubules
Male fertility potential (inferred from biomarkers/histology)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Fertility outcomes (e.g., mating success, sperm count/motility) not explicitly reported in abstract; conclusions rely on oxidative stress markers and histopathology
Exposure source/setup details beyond Plexiglas cages not fully described in abstract

Suggested hubs

rf-microwave (0.9)
Animal study with 2.45 GHz microwave exposure and reported reproductive/oxidative stress outcomes.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": 0.0899999999999999966693309261245303787291049957275390625,
        "duration": "2 h/day for 30 days"
    },
    "population": "6–8 weeks old male Swiss albino mice",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Catalase (CAT)",
        "Malondialdehyde (MDA)",
        "Reactive oxygen species (ROS)",
        "Glutathione peroxidase (GPx)",
        "Testosterone",
        "Superoxide dismutase (SOD)",
        "Micronuclei formation (blood; flow cytometry)",
        "Histopathological changes in seminiferous tubules",
        "Male fertility potential (inferred from biomarkers/histology)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Male mice exposed to 2.45 GHz microwaves (0.25 mW/cm2; SAR 0.09 W/kg) for 2 h/day for 30 days showed increased CAT, MDA and ROS and decreased GPx, testosterone and SOD compared with sham-exposed controls. Micronuclei formation in blood and histopathological changes in seminiferous tubules were reported in the exposed group.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Fertility outcomes (e.g., mating success, sperm count/motility) not explicitly reported in abstract; conclusions rely on oxidative stress markers and histopathology",
        "Exposure source/setup details beyond Plexiglas cages not fully described in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "2.45 GHz",
        "microwave radiation",
        "SAR",
        "oxidative stress",
        "testes",
        "male fertility",
        "Swiss albino mice",
        "testosterone",
        "micronuclei",
        "seminiferous tubules"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "rf-microwave",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Animal study with 2.45 GHz microwave exposure and reported reproductive/oxidative stress outcomes."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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