Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Ultra high frequency-electromagnetic field irradiation during pregnancy leads to an increase in erythrocytes micronuclei incidence in rat offspring med./bio.

By: Ferreira AR, Knakievicz T, Pasquali MA, Gelain DP, Dal-Pizzol F, Fernandez CE, de Salles AA, Ferreira HB, Moreira JC

Published in: Life Sci 2006; 80 (1): 43-50

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Aim of study (acc. to author)

This study should investigate in rats whether 1.) radiofrequency electromagnetic fields could induce chromosomal damage in erythocytes of rat offspring whose mothers were exposed during pregnancy and 2.) imbalances in free radical metabolism of rat offspring liver and blood occurs.

Background/further details

The exposure group consisted of six adult pregnant rats (90-110 days old, 200-250 grams) and the control group of four animals.

Endpoint

genotoxicity/mutation: chromosome damage

Exposure

- 834 MHz
- mobile communications
- analog mobile phone

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 834 MHz Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 8.5 h/day, throughout pregnancy	power: 0.6 W peak value electric field strength: 40 V/m (26.8-40 V/m) magnetic field strength: 100 mA/m (70-100 mA/m) power density: 0.4 mW/cm² mean (0.2-0.4 mW/cm²) SAR: 1.23 W/kg (0.55-1.23 W/kg)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	834 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	repeated daily exposure, 8.5 h/day, throughout pregnancy
Additional info	vertical polarisation

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone analogue, in test mode, with stabilised power supply
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	29.5 cm
Chamber	Faraday cage (101.5 x 64 x 38 cm) made of 0.5-cm mesh
Setup	The rats were housed in individual Plexiglas cages (40.5 x 33.5 x 17.5 cm) that were placed for exposure 29.5 cm away from the mobile phone antenna in its maximum radiation direction.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	The Faraday cage containing the control animal was kept 40.5 cm away from the cage containing the exposure source. Both cages were placed in a wooden rack, and their places were switched every other day.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	0.6 W	peak value	-	-	-
electric field strength	40 V/m	-	measured	-	26.8-40 V/m
magnetic field strength	100 mA/m	-	measured	-	70-100 mA/m
power density	0.4 mW/cm²	mean	measured	-	0.2-0.4 mW/cm²
SAR	1.23 W/kg	-	calculated	-	0.55-1.23 W/kg

Additional parameter details

The electric field measured inside the control cage did not differ from the background level (0.0-0.3 V/m).

Measurement and calculation details

The field intensity was measured using an RF spectrum analyser and EMF meters. The area corresponding to the rat cage was swept by the probe. The SAR was approximated by (σ/ρ)E²_rms. The parameters for the rats were measured according to [Peyman et al., 2001].

Reference articles

Peyman A et al. (2001): Changes in the dielectric properties of rat tissue as a function of age at microwave frequencies

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: chromosome damage in offspring erythrocytes (micronuclei assay)
cell function: free radical metabolism/oxidative parameters in peripherial blood and liver (superoxide dismutase acitivity, catalase activity, glutathione peroxidaseactivity, formation of malondialdehyde: spectrophotometry)
effects on the reproductive system: litter size (number of pups)

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
DNA/RNA
isolated organ
plasma

Investigated organ system:

blood, liver

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

A statistically significant increase in micronuclei occurrence was observed in the irradiated group.
No significant differences were found in any oxidative parameter of offspring plasma and liver. Additionally, the average number of pups in each litter has not been significantly altered.
These data suggest that radiofrequency electromagnetic field is able to induce a genotoxic response in hematopoietic tissue during the embryogenesis. An imbalance in free radicals does not seem to play an important role in its genesis.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq; National Council for Scientific and Technological Development; at Ministry of Science and Technology), Brazil
Fundacao Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (Brazilian Federal Agency for the Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education; CAPES; at Ministry of Education), Brazil
Fundacao de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), Brazil

Gurbuz N et al. (2014): No genotoxic effect in exfoliated bladder cells of rat under the exposure of 1800 and 2100 MHz radio frequency radiation
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