Impact of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on the testicular inflammatory pathway biomarkers in young rats: The role of gallic acid.
Saygin M, Asci H, Ozmen O, Cankara FN, Dincoglu D, Ilhan I · 2015
View Original AbstractWiFi-frequency radiation damaged rat sperm production and testicular tissue in just 30 days, but antioxidants provided significant protection.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed young male rats to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency as WiFi and Bluetooth) for 3 hours daily over 30 days and found significant damage to testicular tissue and sperm production. The radiation increased oxidative stress markers and inflammatory proteins while reducing sperm counts in the testes. However, when rats were given gallic acid (an antioxidant found in tea and berries), it largely prevented these reproductive damages.
Why This Matters
This study adds to mounting evidence that the 2.45 GHz frequency used by WiFi, Bluetooth, and microwave ovens can damage male reproductive health through oxidative stress and inflammation. The researchers found clear testicular damage and reduced sperm production after just one month of exposure - concerning findings given that many men carry WiFi-enabled devices near their reproductive organs for hours daily. What makes this research particularly valuable is the demonstration that antioxidants can provide some protection against EMF damage, suggesting the harm occurs through well-understood biological pathways rather than mysterious mechanisms. The science demonstrates that reproductive tissues are especially vulnerable to EMF exposure, which aligns with previous studies showing decreased sperm quality in men who use laptops on their laps or keep phones in their pockets.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 2.45 GHz Duration: 3 h per day for 30 days
Study Details
The aim of this study was to investigate electromagnetic radiation (EMR) transmitted by wireless devices (2.45 GHz), which may cause physiopathological or ultrastructural changes, in the testes of rats.
We addressed if the supplemental gallic acid (GA) may reduce these adverse effects. Six-week-old mal...
Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels increased (p = 0.001 for both) in EMR on...
All these findings and the regenerative reaction, characterized by mitotic activity, increased in seminiferous tubules cells of the testes in EMR+GA group (p < 0.001). Long term EMR exposure resulted in testicular physiopathology via oxidative damage and inflammation. GA may have ameliorative effects on the prepubertal rat testes physiopathology.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2015_impact_of_245_ghz_2569,
author = {Saygin M and Asci H and Ozmen O and Cankara FN and Dincoglu D and Ilhan I},
title = {Impact of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on the testicular inflammatory pathway biomarkers in young rats: The role of gallic acid.},
year = {2015},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26268881/},
}