The thermal effect of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on rat testes

Abstract

The study focused on the effect of microwave radiation at a dose which commonly does not lead to tissue heating, however, in the rat testes it resulted in accumulation of heat. Adult rats were exposed to whole body pulse radiation at a frequency of 2.45 GHz and mean power density of 28 W/m 2 , for 3 h a day for the duration of 3 weeks. Immediately after each irradiation, the body temperature and the testicular temperature were measured in the control and experimental animals. Samples for histological and immunohistochemical analysis were taken after the last irradiation and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy. An evaluation of spermatozoa motility was performed using computer-assisted sperm analysis. Although the body temperature of the rats was not elevated after the irradiations, the testicular temperature was significantly increased (P < 0.004). Testes of the experimental animals had considerably dilated and congested blood vessels and the seminiferous epithelium showed degenerative changes. The Leydig cells showed no obvious structural abnormalities. Transmission electron microscopy revealed ultrastructural changes in developing sex cells, Sertoli cells, and endothelial cells. An intensified immunoreactivity to superoxide dismutase 1 was found in spermatogonia and Leydig cells in the experimental animals. Results of the present study revealed a distinctly adverse effect of microwave radiation on the thermoregulatory capability and histological structure of rat testes as well as an oxidative damage of the tissue. The scientific knowledge confirming or denying the thermal effect of microwave radiation on living tissue is scarce and thus the present study may be regarded as unique and helpful to clarify the issue. Non-ionizing radiation, male gonads, structure, ultrastructure, immunohistochemical analysisFertility problems affect the human population worldwide. A number of reports have found an association between exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation generated by wireless devices such mobile phones, cordless phones, microwave ovens, radars, Wi-Fi and base stations and the negative effect on different reproductive indices (Panagopoulos 2013). These studies have attributed most of the male reproductive system injury to the non-thermal radiation effect but have not excluded its potential thermal effect. Thus, the occurrence of a thermal effect of microwave electromagnetic radiation (MW EMR) within tissues still remains to be further clarified. Tissues are rich in water molecules which are polar and susceptible to the effect of MW EMR. Their vibrations result in a gain of energy in the form of heat which causes an elevation in the temperature of the tissue. The body is made up of a mixture of types of tissues which may result in a non-uniform distribution

Exogenous Factors Affecting the Functional Integrity of Male Reproduction

“…The modulated integrity of testis indicates impaired spermatogenesis, apoptosis, and production of spermatozoa with functional and morphological damage. Moreover, male gametes may possess defected DNA [ 36 , 37 , 48 , 52 ]. A decreased number of viable Leydig cells causes alteration of testosterone production.…”

Stress-responsive MAPK signaling pathway with proliferation and apoptosis in the rat testis after 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation exposure

“…However, no difference was observed after 10 weeks [17]. It was reported that there wasn't any alteration in the testicular cell apoptosis of 5-weeks-old rats with 2.45 GHz RFR exposure for three weeks (2h/day), but an increase was observed in the testis tissues of 6-weeks-old rats [26]. Interestingly, it has been shown that apoptosis was increased in the offspring rat testis after 900 MHz RFR for 1 h/day through days 13-21 of pregnancy [27].…”

Effect of electromagnetic radiation on the liver structure and ultrastructure of in utero irradiated rats

“…Many scientific experiments which use animal models have demonstrated the adverse effect of EMR on various tissues and organs (Lee et al 2006;Hanafy et al 2010;El-Bediwi et a. 2011;Almášiová et al 2017;Adebayo et al 2019).…”