title: Long-term effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from mobile phone on testicular tissue and epididymal semen quality.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to bridge this gap by investigating effects of long term 900 MHz mobile phone exposure on reproductive organs of male rats. The study was carried out on 14 adult Wistar Albino rats by dividing them randomly into two groups (n: 7) as sham group and exposure group. Rats were exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency (RF) radiation emitted from a GSM signal generator. Point, 1 g and 10 g specific absorption rate (SAR) levels of testis and prostate were found as 0.0623 W/kg, 0.0445 W/kg and 0.0373 W/kg, respectively. The rats in the exposure group were subject to RF radiation 3 h per day (7 d a week) for one year. For the sham group, the same procedure was applied, except the generator was turned off. At the end of the study, epididymal sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, abnormal sperm rate, all-genital organs weights and testis histopathology were evaluated. Any differences were not observed in sperm motility and concentration (p > 0.05). However, the morphologically normal spermatozoa rates were found higher in the exposure group (p < 0.05). Although histological examination showed similarity in the seminiferous tubules diameters in both groups, tunica albuginea thickness and the Johnsen testicular biopsy score were found lower in the exposure group (p < 0.05, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, we claim that long-term exposure of 900 MHz RF radiation alter some reproductive parameters. However, more supporting evidence and research is definitely needed on this topic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Dicle , Diyarbakir , Turkey .
authors.forename: Muzaffer
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tas
authors.forename: Suleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dasdag
authors.forename: Mehmet Zulkuf
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Akdag
authors.forename: Umut
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Cirit
authors.forename: Korkut
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yegin
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Seker
authors.forename: Mehmet Ferit
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Ozmen
authors.forename: Leyla Bilge
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Eren
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D040421:Cell Phone; D004822:Epididymis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000528:radiation effects; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation; mobile phone; reproductive organs; sperm; testis