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DNA & Genetic Damage313 citations

Impact of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation on DNA integrity in the male germline.

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Aitken RJ, Bennetts LE, Sawyer D, Wiklendt AM, King BV. · 2005

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Mice exposed to radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation showed significant DNA damage in sperm detected by QPCR, even though sperm number, morphology, and vitality were not significantly affected.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed mice to 900 MHz RFEMR at a specific absorption rate of approximately 90 mW/kg inside a waveguide for 7 days at 12 h per day. Sperm number, morphology, and vitality were not significantly affected by the exposure. However, detailed DNA analysis using QPCR revealed statistically significant damage to both the mitochondrial genome and the nuclear beta-globin locus.

Why This Matters

DNA damage to caudal epididymal spermatozoa was assessed by quantitative PCR as well as alkaline and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Gel electrophoresis revealed no gross evidence of increased single- or double-DNA strand breakage in spermatozoa taken from treated animals. The more sensitive QPCR method did detect statistically significant damage to both the mitochondrial genome and the nuclear beta-globin locus. The researchers concluded that while RFEMR does not have a dramatic impact on male germ cell development, a significant genotoxic effect on epididymal spermatozoa is evident and deserves further investigation.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.09 W/kg
Source/Device
900 MHz
Exposure Duration
7 days at 12 h per day.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.09 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Severe Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 18 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study is to observe Impact of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation on DNA integrity in the male germline.

In this study, mice were exposed to 900 MHz RFEMR at a specific absorption rate of approximately 90 ...

The treated mice were overtly normal and all assessment criteria, including sperm number, morphology...

This study suggests that while RFEMR does not have a dramatic impact on male germ cell development, a significant genotoxic effect on epididymal spermatozoa is evident and deserves further investigation.

Cite This Study
Aitken RJ, Bennetts LE, Sawyer D, Wiklendt AM, King BV. (2005). Impact of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation on DNA integrity in the male germline. Inter J Androl 28:171-179, 2005.
Show BibTeX
@article{rj_2005_impact_of_radio_frequency_799,
  author = {Aitken RJ and Bennetts LE and Sawyer D and Wiklendt AM and King BV.},
  title = {Impact of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation on DNA integrity in the male germline.},
  year = {2005},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15910543/},
}
PubMed: 15910543

Cited By (313 papers)

View all 313 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Mice were exposed to 900 MHz RFEMR at a specific absorption rate of approximately 90 mW/kg inside a waveguide.
Sperm number, morphology, and vitality were not significantly affected by the exposure.
QPCR revealed statistically significant damage to both the mitochondrial genome and the nuclear beta-globin locus.
The researchers suggested that a significant genotoxic effect on epididymal spermatozoa is evident and deserves further investigation.