Effects of 1.5-GHz high-power microwave exposure on the reproductive systems of male mice

ABSTRACT

High-power microwaves (HPMs) have been reported to have hazardous effects on multiple human and animal organs. However, the biological effects of 1.5-GHz HPMs on the reproductive system are not clear. Here, we studied the effects of 1.5 -GHz HPM whole-body exposure on the pathological structure of the testicles and changes in spermatozoa mobility. C57BL/6 mice of groups L, M, and H were exposed to 1.5-GHz HPM fields for two 15-min intervals at the average specific absorption rates of 3, 6, and 12 W/Kg, respectively. The pathological structure of the testicles and spermatozoa, as well as serum testosterone and sperm motility parameters, were evaluated at 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d after exposure. As a result, there were no significant pathological or ultrastructural changes in the testicles or spermatozoa and serum testosterone levels. The number of progressively motile spermatozoa, curvilinear velocity, linear velocity, and average path velocity of the exposure group increased at 6 h, decreased at 1 d, and recovered at 3 d. The opposite results were considered a stress response to the thermal effect of the microwaves. Our results indicated that 1.5-GHz HPM whole-body exposure in mice at SARs of 3, 6, and 12 W/Kg for 30 min did not cause obvious damage to the reproductive system.

KEYWORDS:

• HPM
• reproductive system
• pathological structure
• sperm motility parameters

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Yong Zou of the Beijing Institute of Radiation and Medicine for the real-time measurement of rectal temperature of mice during microwave exposure.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Author contributions

Microwave exposure: H.Z. and X.Z.; histopathological examination: Y.G. and J.Y.; ultrastructural examination: Q.L. and Z.L.; spermatozoa smear examination: Z.L. and Q.L.; observation of sperm motility parameters: G.D. and C.W.; statistical analysis: J.Y.; writing—original draft preparation: G.D.; writing—review and editing: C.W. and J.Y. All authors have read and agreed upon the published version of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no external funding.