Rat fertility and embryo fetal development: Influence of exposure to the Wi-Fi signal

In recent decades, concern has been growing about decreasing fecundity and fertility in the human population. Exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF), especially radiofrequency (RF) fields used in wireless communications has been suggested as a potential risk factor.For the first time, we evaluated the effects of exposure to the 2450 MHz Wi-Fi signal (1 h/day, 6 days/week) on the reproductive system of male and female Wistar rats, pre-exposed to Wi-Fi during sexual maturation. Exposure lasted 3 weeks (males) or 2 weeks (females), then animals were mated and couples exposed for 3 more weeks. On the day before delivery, the fetuses were observed for lethality, abnormalities, and clinical signs. In our experiment, no deleterious effects of Wi-Fi exposure on rat male and female reproductive organs and fertility were observed for 1 h per days. No macroscopic abnormalities in fetuses were noted, even at the critical level of 4 W/kg.

► Effects of Wi-Fi on the rat reproductive system: dams, males and embryos considered. ► Exposure levels referring to the ICNIRP public exposure limit and critical level. ► No toxic effects of Wi-Fi exposure are observed.