Effects of ultra-wideband electromagnetic irradiation on the ultrastructure of rat pituitary and testis and sex hormones of rat

Objective To observe the effects of ultra-wideband (UWB) electromagnetic irradiation on the ultrastructure of pituitary or testis and the serum sex hormones level of in rats. Methods SD male rats were divided randomly into control group and irradiation groups exposed to 3×105 pulses UWB irradiation for 6,12, 24, 48 h. After exposure, the ultrastructure changes of pituitary and testis were observed by electron microscope. Serum testosterone (T) , luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results The rat pituitary and testis were injured at the different time after exposure to UWB electromagnetic irradiation, but the damage was serious at the 24 h after exposure. In the basophilic cell of the pituitary, there were the vacuoles and lipid droplets, dilated endoplasmic reticulum (ER),exuded lymphocytes and gathered chromatin in the cell border. In the testis tissue, there were the dilated ER and gathered chromatin in the cell border of the spermatogonium, interstitial cell and sustentacular cell, some mitochondria became vacuolar and swollen in the capillary endotheliocytes and exuded lymphocytes. Serum Tlevels of the irradiation groups at 24 and 48 h were ( 1209.7±115.7 ), ( 1340.5±331.1 ) μg/L, which were significantly lower than those[(2721.8± 178.9) and ( 2820.9±321.4 ) μg/L]of control groups at 24 and 48 h (P＜0.05). There was no significant difference for LH and FSH between exposure groups and control groups. Conclusions UWB electromagnetic radiation could induce some changes in the ultrastructure of rat pituitary and testis and serum T level, which may induce the change of reproductive system. Key words: Radiation;  Electromagnetic fields;  Sex hormones;  Pituitary gland