Medical/biological study (experimental study)

2.45 GHz (CW) microwave irradiation alters circadian organization, spatial memory, DNA structure in the brain cells and blood cell counts of male mice, Mus musculus med./bio.

By: Chaturvedi CM, Singh VP, Singh P, Basu P, Singaravel M, Shukla RK, Dhawan A, Pati AK, Gangwar RK, Singh SP

Published in: Progr Electromagn Res B (PIER B) 2011; 29: 23-42

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of 2.45 GHz microwave exposure on various parameters in mice, such as circadian system (locomotor activity pattern), brain function (DNA damage, spatial memory), liver function, haematological and spermatogenic parameters (sperm count, sperm motility).

Background/further details

10 mice were divided into a control group and an exposure group of five mice each.

Endpoint

various parameters of metabolism combining behavioral resonses and effects at the molecular level

Exposure

- 2.45 GHz
- RF
- low level microwaves
- CW continuous wave

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.45 GHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h/day on 30 days	power: 54 mW (transmitted from the antenna) power: 49.54 mW (in the animal cage) power density: 0.02564 mW/cm² SAR: 0.03561 W/kg spatial average (whole body)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	far field
Exposure duration	continuous for 2 h/day on 30 days

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	horn antenna
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	25 cm
Setup	five mice placed in a 25 cm x 16 cm x 6.5 cm cage with individual partitions for each mouse; cage made of polyethylene material and placed on an impregnated styrofoam microwave absorber under the horn antenna with an aperture of 9 cm x 5 cm; during exposure mice restraint in the cage compartments parallel to the E-field
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	54 mW	-	estimated	-	transmitted from the antenna
power	49.54 mW	-	calculated	-	in the animal cage
power density	0.02564 mW/cm²	-	calculated	-	-
SAR	0.03561 W/kg	spatial average	calculated	whole body	-

Exposed system:

animal
mouse/Parkes
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: see "effects on the neurological system"
effects on the reproductive system: sperm count and sperm motility (following exposure)
effects on the immune system: hematological parameters (number of erythrocytes and leukocytes, hemoglobin level; following exposure)
effects on the neurological system: DNA damage in brain cells (comet assay; following exposure)
cognitive/behavioral endpoints: circadian locomotor activity (running wheel; for 12 days prior and for 7 days during the first and last week of exposure); spatial memory and working memory (Morris water maze; 17th -22nd day of exposure)
body weight (every week), liver damage (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase; commercial kits; following exposure)

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture
blood samples and tissue (epididymis, brain) homogenates/suspensions
investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

before exposure
during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed that most of the locomotor activity of the exposed animals occurred within the light fraction of the light:dark cycle (12:12). In contrast, in pre-exposure groups and to some extent in short-term exposed groups (i.e. during the first week of exposure) as well as in sham exposed mice, most of the activity was restricted to the dark phase.
Microwave exposure caused an increase in erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, a significant DNA single-strand break in the brain cells and the loss of spatial memory (less time spent in the target quadrant). The sperm counts and the sperm motility was not altered in the exposed mice compared with the controls. There was no significant differences in the levels of the two transaminases in the exposed mice compared with the controls.
The authors conclude that continuous exposure to low intensity microwave irradiation may have an adverse effect on the brain function by altering circadian system and the rate of DNA damage.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India

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