Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic wave exposure from cellular phones on the reproductive pattern in male Wistar rats

PAPER manual Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2011 Animal study Effect: harm Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1007/s12010-010-9156-0 PMID: 21240569 Evidence Lab

Abstract

The present study investigates the effect of free radical formation due to mobile phone exposure and effect on fertility pattern in 70-day-old male Wistar rats (sham exposed and exposed). Exposure took place in Plexiglas cages for 2 h a day for 35 days to mobile phone frequency. The specific absorption rate was estimated to be 0.9 W/kg. An analysis of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.001) and superoxide dismutase (P < 0.007) showed a decrease, while an increase in catalase (P < 0.005) was observed. Malondialdehyde (P < 0.003) showed an increase and histone kinase (P = 0.006) showed a significant decrease in the exposed group. Micronuclei also show a significant decrease (P < 0.002) in the exposed group. A significant change in sperm cell cycle of G(0)-G(1) (P = 0.042) and G(2)/M (P = 0.022) were recorded. Generation of free radicals was recorded to be significantly increased (P = 0.035). Our findings on antioxidant, malondialdehyde, histone kinase, micronuclei, and sperm cell cycle are clear indications of an infertility pattern, initiated due to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species. It is concluded that radiofrequency electromagnetic wave from commercially available cell phones might affect the fertilizing potential of spermatozoa.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

harm

Population

70-day-old male Wistar rats

Sample size

—

Exposure

RF mobile phone · 0.9 W/kg · 2 h/day for 35 days

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 94% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

In male Wistar rats exposed to mobile phone radiofrequency radiation for 2 h/day over 35 days, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase decreased, catalase and malondialdehyde increased, histone kinase decreased, and free radical generation increased. The study also reported significant changes in sperm cell cycle and concluded these findings indicated an infertility pattern and possible reduced fertilizing potential of spermatozoa.

Outcomes measured

antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase)
malondialdehyde
histone kinase
micronuclei
sperm cell cycle
free radical generation
fertility pattern/fertilizing potential of spermatozoa

Limitations

Animal study
Sample size not stated in the abstract
Exposure frequency not specified in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
        "duration": "2 h/day for 35 days"
    },
    "population": "70-day-old male Wistar rats",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase)",
        "malondialdehyde",
        "histone kinase",
        "micronuclei",
        "sperm cell cycle",
        "free radical generation",
        "fertility pattern/fertilizing potential of spermatozoa"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In male Wistar rats exposed to mobile phone radiofrequency radiation for 2 h/day over 35 days, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase decreased, catalase and malondialdehyde increased, histone kinase decreased, and free radical generation increased. The study also reported significant changes in sperm cell cycle and concluded these findings indicated an infertility pattern and possible reduced fertilizing potential of spermatozoa.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Animal study",
        "Sample size not stated in the abstract",
        "Exposure frequency not specified in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.939999999999999946709294817992486059665679931640625,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "RF",
        "mobile phone",
        "Wistar rats",
        "male reproductive effects",
        "sperm",
        "oxidative stress",
        "reactive oxygen species",
        "SAR",
        "fertility"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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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