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

In rats exposed to 2.45 GHz EMF (3 V/m; SAR 0.00208 W/kg) for 1 hour/day for 60 days, VEGFA gene expression and VEGFA protein levels were increased, while HIF1A expression was unchanged. The exposed group showed significant testicular histological damage including reduced seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, tubule density, and Sertoli cell count.

Outcomes measured

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

Suggested hubs

• school-wi-fi (0.62)
  Exposure described as 2.45 GHz WLAN (Wi‑Fi band), relevant to Wi‑Fi-related exposure discussions.

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    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": "wireless LAN",
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": 0.0020799999999999998177846460833961828029714524745941162109375,
        "duration": "1 hour daily over 60 days"
    },
    "population": "Adult male albino Wistar rats",
    "sample_size": 24,
    "outcomes": [
        "Testicular histopathology/morphology (seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, tubule density, Sertoli cell count)",
        "VEGFA gene expression",
        "HIF1A gene expression",
        "VEGFA protein concentration"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In rats exposed to 2.45 GHz EMF (3 V/m; SAR 0.00208 W/kg) for 1 hour/day for 60 days, VEGFA gene expression and VEGFA protein levels were increased, while HIF1A expression was unchanged. The exposed group showed significant testicular histological damage including reduced seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, tubule density, and Sertoli cell count.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.85999999999999998667732370449812151491641998291015625,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "EMF",
        "WLAN",
        "wireless LAN",
        "2.45 GHz",
        "microwave radiation",
        "testicular morphology",
        "testicular damage",
        "VEGF",
        "VEGFA",
        "HIF1A",
        "HIF1A-VEGF pathway",
        "male fertility",
        "rats",
        "Wistar"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "school-wi-fi",
            "weight": 0.61999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
            "reason": "Exposure described as 2.45 GHz WLAN (Wi‑Fi band), relevant to Wi‑Fi-related exposure discussions."
        }
    ]
}

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