Abstract: BACKGROUND ＆ AIM： To explore the effects of different intensities of low power microwave on the male reproductive system in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS： 48 adult male mice were randomized into 3 microwave groups and 1 control group,each with 12 animals: microwave groups was exposed to 900 MHz microwave (250 μW/cm2, 150 μW/cm2, 50 μW/cm2,24 h/d for 34.5 d) and control group was not exposed to microwave. The sexual function： capture incubation period (CIP), the pathomorphological changes of the testes ,testis-weight ratio, comparative sperm count, malformed sperm ratio and serum testosterone were used to assess the effects of the low power microwave. RESULTS:In microwave group exposure(150 μW/cm2)testis showed slight pathological changes,comparative sperm count,serum testosterone level were significantly decreased compared with the normal control(P<0.05, respectively). CIP ，sperm malformed ratio in microwave group were significantly increased compared with the normal control group (P<0.05, respectively) .But testis-weight ratio showed no significant difference compared with the control(P>0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Low power microwave exposure (150 μW/cm2)could weaken sexual function(CIP) and induce pathological changes of testis, obvious increase of sperm malformed ratio , significant decrease of comparative sperm count and serum testosterone in mice.

Key words: low power microwave, maleness, radiation injury, reproductive function