The effect of 900-MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields during the adolescence on the histological structure of rat testis and its androgen and estrogen receptors localization

Abstract

The effect of 900-MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields during the adolescence on the histological structure of rat testis and its androgen and estrogen receptors localization Gur FM, Keles AI, Erol HS, Guven C, Taskin E, Kaya H, Gur HE, Odaci E, Halici MB, Timurkaan S. The effect of 900- MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields during the adolescence on the histological structure of rat testis and its androgen and estrogen receptors localization. Int J Radiation Research. 19(1):135-144. Jan 2021. DOI: 10.18869/acadpub.ijrr.19.1.135 Abstract Background: Mobile phones as an electronic device which are emitting radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF). In this study was intend to determine the contingent effects of cell phone induced RF-EMF on testicular tissue in adolescence. Materials and Methods: Rats in the RF-EMF group were exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMF, while sham and control rats were not. After the completion of the test steps, the testicular tissues which were rapidly removed from the body of sacrificed rats were examined by using histopathological and biochemical methods. Testicular tissues cut to 5 mu m thickness undergo routine histological procedures. Thus, histopathological evaluation will be completed. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in testicular tissues were measured by biochemical methods to determine whether oxidative stress occurred or not. Results: Histopathologic findings were not observed in any of the studied groups. There was also no difference between the groups in terms of localization of androgen and estrogen receptors. The incidence of apoptotic index and TUNEL-positive cells was similar in all three groups. In the RF-EMF group, although the levels of MDA and CAT were significantly higher, GSH levels were lower than the other groups. There was no essential difference between the groups in terms of SOD level. Conclusions: The obtained results of this study showed that exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMF in adolescents caused oxidative stress in the testes, but testicular damage which is caused by oxidative stress remained too low to be detected by histopathological methods in this study.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

No histopathologic differences were observed between RF-EMF, sham, and control groups, and androgen/estrogen receptor localization, apoptotic index, and TUNEL-positive cells were similar across groups. In the RF-EMF group, MDA and CAT levels were significantly higher and GSH levels were lower than other groups, while SOD did not differ essentially.

Outcomes measured

• Testis histology (histopathology)
• Androgen receptor localization
• Estrogen receptor localization
• Apoptotic index
• TUNEL-positive cells
• Malondialdehyde (MDA) level
• Glutathione (GSH) level
• Catalase (CAT) level
• Superoxide dismutase (SOD) level
• Oxidative stress in testicular tissue

Limitations

• Exposure duration and dosimetry (e.g., SAR) not reported in the abstract
• Sample size not reported in the abstract
• Histopathological methods may not detect low-level damage (as noted by authors)

Suggested hubs

• mobile-phones (0.9)
  Study examines cell phone-induced 900 MHz RF-EMF exposure.

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    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": 900,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Adolescent rats",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Testis histology (histopathology)",
        "Androgen receptor localization",
        "Estrogen receptor localization",
        "Apoptotic index",
        "TUNEL-positive cells",
        "Malondialdehyde (MDA) level",
        "Glutathione (GSH) level",
        "Catalase (CAT) level",
        "Superoxide dismutase (SOD) level",
        "Oxidative stress in testicular tissue"
    ],
    "main_findings": "No histopathologic differences were observed between RF-EMF, sham, and control groups, and androgen/estrogen receptor localization, apoptotic index, and TUNEL-positive cells were similar across groups. In the RF-EMF group, MDA and CAT levels were significantly higher and GSH levels were lower than other groups, while SOD did not differ essentially.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure duration and dosimetry (e.g., SAR) not reported in the abstract",
        "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
        "Histopathological methods may not detect low-level damage (as noted by authors)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
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        "RF-EMF",
        "mobile phone",
        "adolescence",
        "rat",
        "testis",
        "histopathology",
        "oxidative stress",
        "MDA",
        "GSH",
        "CAT",
        "SOD",
        "androgen receptor",
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        "TUNEL"
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