Biopsies of Hwan Testes Receiving Multiple Microwave Irradiation: An Histological and Ultramicroscopical Study

Abstract

Analysis has been made of testicular biopsies from 13 volunteers, 7 of whom received over 100 periods of 20–30 W of 915 or 2450 MHz microwave radiation. The other 6 subjects received fewer than 100 treatments. The radiation was localized to the scrotum for contraception, and the surface temperature was raised to 40–42° C. The results of the biopsies shows that human testes possess a greater tolerance to microwave than those of other species, such as rabbits or rats. Examined 0.5 years after cessation of treatment, it is evident that spermatogenesis resumes, even though they have been irradiated more than 100 times. No individuals were found to be sterile, though spermatogenesis had been severely inhibited during the period of exposure. Vestiges of damage remained, however. The number of degenerate sperm-atogenic cells was increased. and there was a thickening of the limiting membrane of the seminiferous tubules. Some hyaline degeneration was also present. There were local increases or decreases in the numbers of interstitial cells, but ultrastructural comparisons revealed no significant morphological abnormalities.