The potential adverse effect of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on the testes of prenatally exposed peripubertal male rats

Abstract

The potential adverse effect of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on the testes of prenatally exposed peripubertal male rats Andrašková S, Holovská K, Ševčíková Z, Andrejčáková Z, Tóth Š, Martončíková M, Račeková E, Almášiová V. The potential adverse effect of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on the testes of prenatally exposed peripubertal male rats. Histol Histopathol. 2021 Dec 2:18402. doi: 10.14670/HH-18-402. Abstract In utero development of organs is easily influenced by many environmental factors. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of microwave radiation (MR) at a frequency of 2.45 GHz and a specific absorption rate of 1.73 W/kg on intrauterine development of testis. Pregnant albino rats were exposed to whole-body MR for 2 hours per day throughout the pregnancy. Male offspring (n=12, age 35 days) were not exposed to MR after birth. The study revealed that MR applied in utero induced apparent structural changes in the testes, such as irregular shape of seminiferous tubules, significant decrease in the diameter of seminiferous tubules (p<0.05) and in the height of the germinal epithelium (p<0.01), disorganisation of germ cells, desquamations of immature germ cells, formation of giant multinucleated cells, and significant (p<0.01) expansion of the interstitium. At the level of transmission electron microscopy, there were observed basement membrane irregularities in seminiferous tubules, vacuolation of the cytoplasm and adversely affected organelles in Sertoli cells, germ cells, Leydig cells, peritubular and endothelial cells. The tight junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells were often incomplete, and necrotizing germ cells were more numerous in experimental animals compared to controls. Enhanced necrotizations of germ cells proved by a Fluoro Jade C method, and declined germ cells proliferation confirmed by proliferating cell nuclear antigen analysis, were detected in MR exposed animals. Our results revealed that the prenatal exposure to MR had an adverse effect on the postnatal testicular development in rats. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Excerpts The exact cellular pathways mediating the adverse effect of RF-EMR on testicular development and future spermatogenesis are still under investigation and further studies are still required. Many authors suggested that the most likely mechanism of RF-EMR associated testicular tissue injury is oxidative damage (Valko et al., 2006; Höytö et al., 2008; Desai et al., 2009; Tök et al. 2014; Yakymenko et al. 2016). This is in close agreement with our observation of the impaired testicular structure, ultrastructure, and regression of proliferative capacity of spermatogenic elements, accompanied by enhanced degeneration. Given the chosen methodology and the calculated SAR value, we have assumed that the primary source of testicular tissue damage was the non-thermal effect of RF-EMR. However, due to the impossibility of monitoring the hot spot phenomenon in the developing testes of rat foetuses, we cannot exclude the thermal effect. In conclusion, our data attest to the harmful impact of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on development of testes during the prenatal period which subsequently compromises the spermatogenic cycle and male reproductive function in the postnatal period of life. To preserve the steady reproductive health, it would be necessary to avoid or minimize exposure to RF-MR, especially in the most vulnerable period of intrauterine development of the individual.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Prenatal whole-body exposure to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (SAR 1.73 W/kg) was associated with structural and ultrastructural testicular changes in male offspring at 35 days, including reduced seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelium height, disorganized and degenerating germ cells, and expanded interstitium. Exposed animals showed more necrotizing germ cells and reduced germ cell proliferation compared with controls.

Outcomes measured

• Testis histology/structure (seminiferous tubules shape, diameter; germinal epithelium height)
• Germ cell organization and degeneration (desquamation, multinucleated giant cells, necrotizing germ cells)
• Interstitial expansion
• Ultrastructural changes on transmission electron microscopy (basement membrane irregularities; Sertoli/germ/Leydig/peritubular/endothelial cell organelle changes; incomplete Sertoli tight junctions; cytoplasmic vacuolation)
• Germ cell necrosis (Fluoro Jade C)
• Germ cell proliferation (PCNA analysis)

Limitations

• No postnatal exposure; outcomes assessed in offspring at 35 days only
• Authors note inability to monitor fetal testis hot spots; thermal effects cannot be excluded

Suggested hubs

• animal-studies (0.9)
  Rat study assessing prenatal RF/microwave exposure effects on testes.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": 1.729999999999999982236431605997495353221893310546875,
        "duration": "Whole-body exposure 2 hours/day throughout pregnancy (prenatal); offspring not exposed after birth"
    },
    "population": "Pregnant albino rats and male offspring (peripubertal, 35 days old)",
    "sample_size": 12,
    "outcomes": [
        "Testis histology/structure (seminiferous tubules shape, diameter; germinal epithelium height)",
        "Germ cell organization and degeneration (desquamation, multinucleated giant cells, necrotizing germ cells)",
        "Interstitial expansion",
        "Ultrastructural changes on transmission electron microscopy (basement membrane irregularities; Sertoli/germ/Leydig/peritubular/endothelial cell organelle changes; incomplete Sertoli tight junctions; cytoplasmic vacuolation)",
        "Germ cell necrosis (Fluoro Jade C)",
        "Germ cell proliferation (PCNA analysis)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Prenatal whole-body exposure to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (SAR 1.73 W/kg) was associated with structural and ultrastructural testicular changes in male offspring at 35 days, including reduced seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelium height, disorganized and degenerating germ cells, and expanded interstitium. Exposed animals showed more necrotizing germ cells and reduced germ cell proliferation compared with controls.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "No postnatal exposure; outcomes assessed in offspring at 35 days only",
        "Authors note inability to monitor fetal testis hot spots; thermal effects cannot be excluded"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "2.45 GHz",
        "microwave radiation",
        "RF-EMR",
        "prenatal exposure",
        "specific absorption rate",
        "SAR 1.73 W/kg",
        "testes",
        "seminiferous tubules",
        "Sertoli cells",
        "Leydig cells",
        "germ cell necrosis",
        "PCNA",
        "Fluoro Jade C",
        "rat"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
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            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Rat study assessing prenatal RF/microwave exposure effects on testes."
        }
    ]
}

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