Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety of
living nearby cell phone towers which emit Radio Frequency-
Electromagnetic Radiation (RF-EMR) through in vivo study and what is
the risk of these radiations on fertility hormones (FSH, LH and PRL) and
histopathological changes of testes of Wistar male rats. A 28 days old
male rats 35 - 54.2 g of body weight, were used. Rats were exposed to RFEMR
emitted by cell tower base station in Khartoum State. The rats were
divided into four different groups. Control animals that were kept without
exposure to any RF-EMR. The rats were in the other three groups exposed
for 8 weeks to RF-EMR at: 57nw/m2, 37nw/ m2, and 10nw/m2. The
exposure to radiation was on daily basis for 10 hours at temperature 30–
33ºC. Fertility hormones viz: FSH, LH and PRL were estimated. Exposure
to RF-EMR caused significant decrease in the weight of testes of
experimental rats in all groups. Also had significant increase effects on
PRL however there was significant decrease in FSH and LH in all groups
of rats exposed RF-EMR when compared with the control group.
Histopathological examination of testes among groups exposed to RFEMR
showed various changes. Most seminiferous tubules of testis of male
rats exposed to RF-EMR (57nw/m2) showed polymorphism, necrosis in
the germinal epithelial cells, hypertrophy and degeneration of
spermatogonia cells, interstitaial oedema, and absence of sperm. While
those exposed to RF-EMR (37nw/m2) showed deceleration of
spermatogemesis, vaculation of leyding cells, started atrophy of
spermatids cells and haemorrhages. Sections of testis of male rats exposed
RF-EMR (10nw/m2) showed shrinking of some seminiferous, oedema,
hyperplasia and vaculation of spermatocytes, blood vessels dilated,
fibrosis of tunica, fusion between some seminiferous tubules. It could be
concluded that exposure to RF-EMR emitted from cell tower does
represent a significant risk factor for rat reproductive system
