Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 62, Issue 1 245-252, Copyright © 1987 by American Physiological Society
Effects of pulse-modulated microwave radiation and conventional heating on sperm production
R. M. Lebovitz, L. Johnson and W. K. Samson
The effects on testicular function of pulse-modulated microwave radiation
(PM MWR, 1.3 GHz) and of conventional heating were studied in the rat.
Anesthetized adult males (Sprague-Dawley, 400-500 g) were treated then
killed at specific intervals with respect to the 13-day cycle of the
seminiferous epithelium. PM MWR at 7.7 mW/g (90 min) yielded a modest
decline in daily sperm production (DSP) that derived primarily from effects
on primary spermatocytes. PM MWR at 4.2 mW/g was ineffective. The mean
intratesticular temperature during the former reached 40 degrees C and did
not exceed 38 degrees C during the latter. MWR considerably in excess of
7.7 mW/g yielded decrements in virtually all germ cell types, with primary
spermatocytes again being most markedly affected. Using conventional
heating, intratesticular temperatures in excess of 39 degrees C for 60 min
were required for significant decrements in DSP. Levels of circulating
follicle-stimulating hormone and of leutinizing hormone were resistant to
either treatment. We conclude that the damage threshold and the
differential sensitivity of immature germ cells to PM MWR can be adequately
explained by the consequent macroscopic heating.
