2.45 GHz Wi-Fi Microwave Radiation Induces DNA Damage in Ovaries and Testes of Rats

Short-duration exposure to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation induces DNA damage in Sprague Dawley rat’s reproductive systems
Usikalu, M. R.1 , Obembe, O. O.2 *, Akinyemi, M. L.1 and Zhu, J.3
This published paper is about 2.45 GHZ, the same radiation frequency used in Wi-Fi. 

The genotoxic effects of 2.45 GHz microwave (MW) radiation on the testis and ovary of Sprague Dawley rats was investigated. The animals were exposed to varying levels of specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0 (control), 0.48, 0.95, 1.43, 1.91, 2.39, 2.90, 3.40, 3.80 and 4.30 Wkg-1 , for 10 min. The induction of DNA damages was assessed using DNA direct amplification of length polymorphisms (DALP) and validated with single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) comet assay for same cells at SAR 2.39 Wkg-1 . Potential damage at the organ level was assessed by histopathological study. The results show significant differences in the Olive moment and % DNA in the blood of the exposed animals when compared with the control (p < 0.05). Hyperchromasia was observed in the ovary of the animals exposed to MW radiation. Also, there was reduction in the number of germ cells and cell disorganization in the testis of exposed group with increasing SARs. These results suggest that MW radiation has the potential to affect both male and female fertility adversely.

This is an image of damaged ovaries. 

"Our results reveal that short exposure to low level 2.45 GHz microwave radiation alters the DNA genome band pattern, causes DNA single strand break and modifies the cells in the testis and ovary of the exposed animals"

This is an image of damaged testes. 

Conclusion 
We reported for the first time, alteration in DNA bands pattern, single strand break and reduction in the number of male germ cells of Sprague Dawley rats as a result of exposure to 2.45 GHz microwave for just 10 min without change in body temperature. Our findings reveal that exposure to microwave radiation of 0.48 Wkg-1 and above produces genotoxic effects on testis and ovary as observed from the genomic result, comet assay and the histopathology results. Thus, there is high possibility of compromising the fertility in the exposed rats. Although, rats are known to be more metabolically active than humans, however, these results give an indication of possible long term effects that may be expected on the reproductive organs in humans when exposed at similar microwave radiation for a considerable period of time.
Download the full paper here.