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

This study investigated the effects of exposure to a 2.45 GHz electromagnetic field (EMF) on rat testicular tissue, focusing on histological alterations and the potential activation of the HIF1A-VEGF pathway. Twenty-four adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into a control group (n = 12) with no EMF exposure and an experimental group (n = 12) exposed to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (3 V/m, SAR 0.00208 W/kg) for one hour daily over 60 days. Following the exposure period, testicular tissues were analyzed for histopathological changes, VEGFA and HIF1A gene expression levels, and VEGFA protein concentration. In rat testicular tissue, while VEGFA gene expression (p < 0.05) and protein levels (p < 0.001) increased in the EMF group, no significant change was detected in HIF1A gene expression levels in the EMF group compared to the control group. Histological examination revealed a significant reduction in seminiferous tubule diameter (p < 0.001), epithelial thickness (p < 0.001), tubule density (p < 0.001), and Sertoli cell count (p = 0.0098) in the EMF-exposed group. It may be concluded that EMF at 2.45 GHz increases HIF1A-independent VEGF levels, and EMF exposure may cause testicular damage by increasing VEGF gene expression levels.