Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz)- and Mobile Phone (900 and 1800 MHz)-Induced Risks on Oxidative Stress and Elements in Kidney and Testis of Rats During Pregnancy and the Development of Offspring

Abstract

The present study was designed to determine the effects of both Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz)- and mobile phone (900 and 1800 MHz)-induced electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on oxidative stress and trace element levels in the kidney and testis of growing rats from pregnancy to 6 weeks of age. Thirty-two rats and their 96 newborn offspring were equally divided into four different groups, namely, control, 2.45 GHz, 900 MHz, and 1800 MHz groups. The 2.45 GHz, 900 MHz, and 1,800 MHz groups were exposed to EMR for 60 min/day during pregnancy and growth. During the fourth, fifth, and sixth weeks of the experiment, kidney and testis samples were taken from decapitated rats. Results from the fourth week showed that the level of lipid peroxidation in the kidney and testis and the copper, zinc, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and total antioxidant status (TAS) values in the kidney decreased in the EMR groups, while iron concentrations in the kidney as well as vitamin A and vitamin E concentrations in the testis increased in the EMR groups. Results for fifth-week samples showed that iron, vitamin A, and β-carotene concentrations in the kidney increased in the EMR groups, while the GSH and TAS levels decreased. The sixth week results showed that iron concentrations in the kidney and the extent of lipid peroxidation in the kidney and testis increased in the EMR groups, while copper, TAS, and GSH concentrations decreased. There were no statistically significant differences in kidney chromium, magnesium, and manganese concentrations among the four groups. In conclusion, Wi-Fi- and mobile phone-induced EMR caused oxidative damage by increasing the extent of lipid peroxidation and the iron level, while decreasing total antioxidant status, copper, and GSH values. Wi-Fi- and mobile phone-induced EMR may cause precocious puberty and oxidative kidney and testis injury in growing rats.

Impact of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on the testicular inflammatory pathway biomarkers in young rats: The role of gallic acid

“…In previous studies, Özorak et al () applied 2.45 GHz EMR for 1 h day −1 during the pregnancy and growth, and showed that EMR increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased TAS levels in the testes tissue, and Oksay et al () showed an increase in LPO in exposed rats. All of these findings were similar to the results of this study.…”

Oxidative effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field and radio frequency radiation on testes tissues of diabetic and healthy rats

“…Milankot et al stated that GSH levels decreased and lipid peroxidation increased in testis of rats that were exposed to 0.9/1.8 GHz radiation for 1 hour a day for a period of 28 days (21). In another study, neonatal rats were exposed to 2.45 GHz (Wi-Fi), 900 MHz and 1800 MHz (mobile phone) for 60 minutes a day for a period of 6 weeks and at the end of the 4th, 5th and 6th weeks, kidney and testis tissue samples showed a decrease in GSH, glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity, and an increase in lipid peroxidation (22). Similar results of these studies support our fi ndings.…”

Possible health risk of electromagnetic fields

“…Lipid peroxidation and oxidizable iron content increased and antioxidant trace elements (copper and zinc), and glutathione levels decreased during kidney and testis development 18 .…”