Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia
Abstract
An ever-increasing use of wireless devices
over the last decades has forced scientists to clarify their
impact on living systems. Since prenatal development is
highly sensitive to numerous noxious agents, including
radiation, we focused on the assessment of potential
adverse effects of microwave radiation (MR) on
testicular development. Pregnant Wistar albino rats (3
months old, weighing 282±8 g) were exposed to pulsed
MR at a frequency of 2.45 GHz, mean power density of
2.8 mW/cm2, and a specific absorption rate of 1.82 W/kg
for 2 hours/day throughout pregnancy. Male offspring
were no longer exposed to MR following birth. Samples
of biological material were collected after reaching
adulthood (75 days). In utero MR exposure caused
degenerative changes in the testicular parenchyma of
adult rats. The shape of the seminiferous tubules was
irregular, germ cells were degenerated and often
desquamated. The diameters of the seminiferous tubules
and the height of the germinal epithelium were
significantly decreased (both at **p<0.01), while the
interstitial space was significantly increased (**p<0.01)
when compared to the controls. In the group of rats
prenatally exposed to MR, the somatic and germ cells
were rich in vacuoles and their organelles were often
altered. Necrotizing cells were more frequent and empty
spaces between Sertoli cells and germ cells were
observed. The Leydig cells contained more lipid
droplets. An increased Fluoro Jade - C and superoxide
dismutase 2 positivity was detected in the rats exposed
to MR. Our results confirmed adverse effects of MR on
testicular development