Evaluation of the effect of mobile phone exposure on the testis morphology in rats: A stereological study

The electromagnetic energy emitted from mobile phone (MP) reveals thermal, non-thermal, genetic and cancerogenic effects on the tissues. In the present study, it was proposed to evaluate the effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted from MP on the rat testis morphology using stereological techniques. Hormonal parameters related with reproduction functions and plasma iron parameters was also investigated. A total of thirty-two male Wistar albino rats (8-10 weeks old, 200±20 g) represented in this study. Animals were randomly divided into four groups as; Control (C, n=8), Sham (Sh, n=8, 12 h/day), mobile phone Speech (S, n=8, 2 h/day) and mobile phone Stand by (ST by, n=8, 12 h/day). The experiment duration was 10 weeks for all groups. Morphometric measurements of testis was determined by the help of a computer-assisted stereological analyses system. The mean weight of testes and body weights of the EMF exposed groups were less than weights of C and Sh groups (p<0,05). The testis volume of ST by and S groups were less than the testis volume of C and Sh groups (p<0,05). The volume fraction of interstitial tissue in the EMF exposed groups was increased, volume fraction of tubular tissue was decreased than the C and Sh groups (p<0,05). Tubular tissue volume and testis parenchyma volume of the EMF exposed groups were decreased (p<0,05). A significant decline observed in the mean seminiferous tubule diamater and germinal epithelium height of the EMF exposed groups than the C and Sh groups (p<0,05). In the experiment groups, it was seen that testis degeneration occurred by the result of the particularly germinal epithelium damage. The cortisol level of the EMF exposed groups was significantly higher (p<0,05). The unsaturated iron binding capacity and total iron binding capacity was also decreased in the EMF exposed groups (p<0,05). In conclusion, the EMF stress constituted by mobile phones caused to morphologic and histologic changes by the negatively affects to germinal epithelium tissue. Key wods: Cavalieri principle, Electromagnetic field, Germinal epithelium, Mobile phone, Stereology, Testis morphology