Abstract
The genotoxic effects of 2.45 GHz microwave (MW) radiation on the testis and ovary of Sprague Dawley rats was investigated. The animals were exposed to varying levels of specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0 (control), 0.48, 0.95, 1.43, 1.91, 2.39, 2.90, 3.40, 3.80 and 4.30 Wkg-1, for 10 min. The induction of DNA damages was assessed using DNA direct amplification of length polymorphisms (DALP) and validated with single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) comet assay for same cells at SAR 2.39 Wkg-1. Potential damage at the organ level was assessed by histopathological study. The results show significant differences in the Olive moment and % DNA in the blood of the exposed animals when compared with the control (p < 0.05). Hyperchromasia was observed in the ovary of the animals exposed to MW radiation. Also, there was reduction in the number of germ cells and cell disorganization in the testis of exposed group with increasing SARs. These results suggest that MW radiation has the potential to affect both male and female fertility adversely. Key words: 2.45 GHz microwave radiation, histopathology, DNA single strand break, ovary, testis.
Highlights
Microwave (MW) radiation is a non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation present in the environment and health risks posed by it has been a point of debate for the last two decades
We reported for the first time, DNA damage in the ovary and testis of Sprague Dawley rats following 10 min exposure to 2.45 GHz MW radiation at varying specific absorption rates (SAR) lower than 4 Wkg-1, under isothermal conditions
The result obtained in testis of the group exposed to SAR 1.91 Wkg-1 is similar to that exposed to 2.39 Wkg-1; they both showed cells disorganization and reduction in the number of germ cells as compared to the control (Figure 2E and F)
Summary
Microwave (MW) radiation is a non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation present in the environment and health risks posed by it has been a point of debate for the last two decades. The low-level radiofrequency radiation at 2.45 GHz in particular, is widely being used in many domestic, industrial and health appliances (Habash et al, 2003). Developmental and reproductive impairments resulting from exposure to MW radiation have been copiously reported in small mammals at both the organ and cellular levels (Acar et al, 2009; Aweda et al, 2011, Kesari and Behari, 2010a; Orendáčová et al, 2011; Paulraj and Behari, 2002; Tenorio et al, 2011). Several reports have given evidence of MW radiation-induced genotoxicity at 2.45 GHz in mice and rats. Aweda et al (2010), Kesari et al (2010) and Chaturvedi et al (2011) reported mutagenic effects in the brains of mice and rats exposed to 2.45 GHz MW radiation (though at different durations, specific absorption rates and power densities). Most of the previous radiation studies have been conducted over a period of time
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