Whole-body microwave exposure emitted by cellular phones and testicular function of rats

This study investigated whether there are adverse effects due to microwave exposure emitted by cellular phones in male rats. Eighteen Wistar Albino ra ts were separated into three groups, a sham group and two experimental grou ps. The rats were confined in Plexiglas cages and cellular phones were plac ed 0.5 cm under the cages. In the first experimental group, cellular phones were in standby position for 2 h. In the second experimental group. phones were turned to the speech position three times each for 1 min duration ove r 2 h. Rats in the first and second experimental groups were exposed to mic rowaves emitted by phones for 2 h/day for a duration of 1 month. After the last exposure the rats were killed. Brain, eyes, ears, liver, heart, lungs, stomach, kidneys, testes. small and large intestines and skill of the rats were observed histologically. The decrease of epididymal sperm counts in t he speech groups were not found to be significant (P > 0.05). Differences i n terms of normal and abnormal sperm forms were not observed (P > 0.05). Hi stological changes ut ru especially observed in the testes of rats of the s peech groups. Seminiferous tubular diameter of rat testes in the standby an d speech groups was found to be lower than the sham group (P < 0.05). Recta l temperatures of rats in the speech group were found to be higher than the sham and standby groups (P < 0.05). The rectal temperatures of rats before and after exposure were also found to be significantly higher in the speec h group (P < 0.05). Specific absorption rate (SAR) was determined as 0.141 W/kg.