Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Studies of the induction of dominant lethals and translocations in male mice after chronic exposure to microwave radiation med./bio.

By: Saunders RD, Kowalczuk CI, Beechey CV, Dunford R
Published in: Int J Radiat Biol Relat Stud Phys Chem Med 1988; 53 (6): 983-992
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

The study comprises a lethal assay of the offspring of male mice exposed to chronic, low-level microwave radiation over an 8-week period. Additionally, a cytogenetic analysis of male germ cells was carried out.

Background/further details

Male mice were exposed to 2.45 GHz continuous wave microwave irradiation for over an 8-week period and at the end of the treatment period the mice were mated with different groups of females each week for the following 8 weeks.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.45 GHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: 6h on alternative days (total 120h) for 8 week period

General information

Saunders and Kowalczuk 1981 description of chamber.

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 2.45 GHz
Type
Charakteristic
Exposure duration 6h on alternative days (total 120h) for 8 week period
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber 10 Perspex cages (7.5 cm x 5.5 cm x 13.5 cm) placed on an array of three Perspex shelves (80 cm x 45 cm)
Setup mice were free to move in the horizontal plane with their long axis parallel magnetic vector and perpendicular to the electric vector..
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 100 W/m² unspecified measured - -
SAR 5 mW/g unspecified estimated unspecified -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

There is no evidence that chronic exposure of male mice to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation induces a mutagenic response in male germ cells. No difference in the frequency of reciprocal translocations between the sham and treated groups could be found. There was no significant reduction in pregancy rate, preimplantation survival or post-implantation survival in the exposed animals compared to sham-exposed animals.

Study character:

Study funded by