HarmLow evidencePaper 2454

Effects of wireless local area network exposure on testicular morphology and VEGF levels

Keywords

#2.45 GHz #microwave radiation #WLAN #Wi-Fi #rat #testis #testicular morphology #VEGFA #HIF1A #Sertoli cells #seminiferous tubules #SAR

Compared with controls, rats exposed to 2.45 GHz EMF showed increased VEGFA gene expression (p < 0.05) and VEGFA protein levels (p < 0.001), with no significant change in HIF1A gene expression. Histology showed reduced seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial…

Study snapshot

PublicationSci Rep · 2026

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Category: Toxicology Tags: EMF, wireless LAN, testicular damage, VEGF, HIF1A-VEGF pathway, male fertility, 2.45 GHz DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-37323-2 URL: nature.com Overview This study investigated the impact of exposure to a 2.45 GHz electromagnetic field (EMF), typical of wireless local area networks (WLAN), on testicular health in rats. The focus was on both histological changes and alterations in the HIF1A-VEGF pathway, crucial for vascular function and tissue health. - 🌡️ Twenty-four adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into a control group (no EMF exposure) and an experimental group (exposed to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation at 3 V/m, SAR 0.00208 W/kg) for one hour daily over 60 days. - 🔬 Testicular tissue was analyzed post-exposure for: - Histopathological changes - Gene expression levels (VEGFA and HIF1A) - VEGFA protein concentration Findings - ⬆️ VEGFA gene expression (p < 0.05) and protein levels (p < 0.001) were elevated in the EMF-exposed group, while HIF1A expression remained unchanged. - 🔻 Significant histological damage was observed in the EMF group: - Reduced seminiferous tubule diameter (p < 0.001) - Decreased epithelial thickness (p < 0.001) - Lower tubule density (p < 0.001) - Reduced Sertoli cell count (p = 0.0098) Conclusion Exposure to EMF at 2.45 GHz increases VEGF levels independently of HIF1A, suggesting the risk of testicular damage associated with wireless LAN frequency EMF. This provides clear evidence of a link between EMF exposure and male reproductive health risks.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionharm

PopulationAdult male albino Wistar rats

Sample size24

Exposuremicrowave · 2450 MHz · 0.00208 W/kg · 1 hour daily for 60 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Testicular histopathology (seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, tubule density, Sertoli cell count)
VEGFA gene expression
HIF1A gene expression
VEGFA protein concentration

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": "wireless local area network (WLAN) / 2.45 GHz EMF",
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": 0.00208,
    "duration": "1 hour daily for 60 days"
  },
  "population": "Adult male albino Wistar rats",
  "sample_size": 24,
  "outcomes": [
    "Testicular histopathology (seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, tubule density, Sertoli cell count)",
    "VEGFA gene expression",
    "HIF1A gene expression",
    "VEGFA protein concentration"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with controls, rats exposed to 2.45 GHz EMF showed increased VEGFA gene expression (p < 0.05) and VEGFA protein levels (p < 0.001), with no significant change in HIF1A gene expression. Histology showed reduced seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, tubule density (all p < 0.001), and Sertoli cell count (p = 0.0098) in the exposed group.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "2.45 GHz",
    "microwave radiation",
    "WLAN",
    "Wi-Fi",
    "rat",
    "testis",
    "testicular morphology",
    "VEGFA",
    "HIF1A",
    "Sertoli cells",
    "seminiferous tubules",
    "SAR"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-37323-2
PubMed: Not supplied

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