Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of microwave exposure in utero on embryonal, fetal and postnatal development of mice med./bio.

By: Chazan B, Janiak M, Kobus M, Marcickiewicz J, Troszynski M, Szmigielski S

Published in: Biol Neonate 1983; 44 (6): 339-348

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This in vivo study was conducted to investigate possible teratogenic effects of 2.45 GHz microwave irradiation in mice.

Background/further details

30 female mice (6-8 weeks old) per group were exposed during different gestation time periods at either 40 mW/cm² (thermal power density),10 mW/cm² (athermal power density) or sham exposed (control group) to examine effects of microwave exposure on the embryonal development (see exposure 1), on the fetal development (see exposure 2), and on the postnatal development (see exposure 3).

Endpoint

effects on embryo/fetus: embryonal, fetal, and postnatal development

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.45 GHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: 2 h/day for 4 days	SAR: 4 mW/g minimum (whole body) (for exposure with 10 mW/cm²) SAR: 5 mW/g maximum (whole body) (for exposure with 10 mW/cm²) SAR: 16 mW/g minimum (whole body) (for exposure with 40 mW/cm²) SAR: 18 mW/g maximum (whole body) (for exposure with 40 mW/cm²) power density: 10 mW/cm² (group 1) power density: 40 mW/cm² (group 2)
Exposure 2: 2.45 GHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: 2 h/day for 7 days or 10 days or 18 days	SAR: 4 mW/g minimum (whole body) (for exposure with 10 mW/cm²) SAR: 5 mW/g maximum (whole body) (for exposure with 10 mW/cm²) SAR: 16 mW/g minimum (whole body) (for exposure with 40 mW/cm²) SAR: 18 mW/g maximum (whole body) (for exposure with 40 mW/cm²) power density: 10 mW/cm² (group 1 to group 3) power density: 40 mW/cm² (group 4 to group 6)
Exposure 3: 2.45 GHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: 2 h/day for 18 days	SAR: 4 mW/g minimum (whole body) (for exposure with 10 mW/cm²) SAR: 5 mW/g maximum (whole body) (for exposure with 10 mW/cm²) SAR: 16 mW/g minimum (whole body) (for exposure with 40 mW/cm²) SAR: 18 mW/g maximum (whole body) (for exposure with 40 mW/cm²) power density: 10 mW/cm² (group 1) power density: 40 mW/cm² (group 2)

General information

for exposure 1: group 1: 10 mW/cm² for the first four days of pregnancy group 2: 40 mW/cm² for the first four days of pregnancy sham exposure group for exposure 2: group 1: 10 mW/cm² daily exposure for the first 7 days of pregnancy group 2: 10 mW/cm² daily exposure from day 8 to day 18 of pregnancy group 3: 10 mW/cm² daily exposure for the whole period of pregnancy (18 days) group 4: 40 mW/cm² daily exposure for the first 7 days of pregnancy group 5: 40 mW/cm² daily exposure from day 8 to day 18 of pregnancy group 6: 40 mW/cm² daily exposure for the whole period of pregnancy group 7: control for exposure 3: group 1: 10 mW/cm² for the whole period of pregnancy group 2: 40 mW/cm² for the whole period of pregnancy group 3: control

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	2 h/day for 4 days

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	horn antenna anechoic chamber
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	4 mW/g	minimum	calculated	whole body	for exposure with 10 mW/cm²
SAR	5 mW/g	maximum	calculated	whole body	for exposure with 10 mW/cm²
SAR	16 mW/g	minimum	calculated	whole body	for exposure with 40 mW/cm²
SAR	18 mW/g	maximum	calculated	whole body	for exposure with 40 mW/cm²
power density	10 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	group 1
power density	40 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	group 2

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	2 h/day for 7 days or 10 days or 18 days

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	4 mW/g	minimum	calculated	whole body	for exposure with 10 mW/cm²
SAR	5 mW/g	maximum	calculated	whole body	for exposure with 10 mW/cm²
SAR	16 mW/g	minimum	calculated	whole body	for exposure with 40 mW/cm²
SAR	18 mW/g	maximum	calculated	whole body	for exposure with 40 mW/cm²
power density	10 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	group 1 to group 3
power density	40 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	group 4 to group 6

Exposure 3

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	2 h/day for 18 days

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	4 mW/g	minimum	calculated	whole body	for exposure with 10 mW/cm²
SAR	5 mW/g	maximum	calculated	whole body	for exposure with 10 mW/cm²
SAR	16 mW/g	minimum	calculated	whole body	for exposure with 40 mW/cm²
SAR	18 mW/g	maximum	calculated	whole body	for exposure with 40 mW/cm²
power density	10 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	group 1
power density	40 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	group 2

Reference articles

Szmigielski S et al. (1982): Accelerated development of spontaneous and benzopyrene-induced skin cancer in mice exposed to 2450-MHz microwave radiation

Exposed system:

animal
mouse/Swiss
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on embryo/fetus: embryonal, fetal, and postnatal development (number of blastomeres, morulas, blastocysts; number of intra-fetal bleeding, death, resorption of fetuses; body mass, infection liability of the offspring till the age of three weeks)
effects on the reproductive system: litter size

Investigated system:

fetus

Investigated organ system:

reproductive system

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Thermal exposures to microwaves at 40 mW/cm² power flux inhibited significantly the embryonal and fetal development in utero, accompanied by an increased incidence of intra-fetal bleedings, deaths and resorptions of fetuses. Moreover, markedly increased liability to viral and bacterial infections was observed in pups of dams irradiated for the whole period of gestation with thermal doses of microwaves. No such effects were found following exposure of pregnant mice to 10 mW/cm² power density of irradiation.
These data suggest that the observed effects of microwave exposure in the course of pregnancy in mice are thermal in nature.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Bureau of Radiological Health (later on "Center for Devices and Radiological Health" (CDRH) at FDA), USA

Shahin S et al. (2013): 2.45 GHz microwave irradiation-induced oxidative stress affects implantation or pregnancy in mice, Mus musculus
Amer FI et al. (2013): Effect Of Microwave Radiation On The Retina Of Mice Embryos
Inaloz SS et al. (1997): Acceptable radiation leakage of microwave ovens on pregnant and newborn rat brains
Jensh RP (1997): Behavioral teratologic studies using microwave radiation: is there an increased risk from exposure to cellular phones and microwave ovens?
Fukui Y et al. (1992): Effects of Hyperthermia Induced by Microwave Irradiation on Brain Development in Mice
Saito K et al. (1991): Lethal and teratogenic effects of long-term low-intensity radio frequency radiation at 428 MHz on developing chick embryo
Berman E et al. (1984): Decreased body weight in fetal rats after irradiation with 2450-MHz (CW) microwaves
Jensh RP et al. (1983): An evaluation of the teratogenic potential of protracted exposure of pregnant rats to 2450-MHz microwave radiation: I. Morphologic analysis at term
Berman E et al. (1982): Reduced weight in mice offspring after in utero exposure to 2450-MHz (CW) microwaves
Albert EN et al. (1981): Effect of nonionizing radiation on the Purkinje cells of the rat cerebellum
Nawrot PS et al. (1981): Effects of 2.45 GHz CW microwave radiation on embryofetal development in mice
Berman E et al. (1981): Observations of rat fetuses after irradiation with 2450-MHz (CW) microwaves
Berman E et al. (1978): Observations of mouse fetuses after irradiation with 2.45 GHz microwaves
Chernovetz ME et al. (1977): A teratological study of the rat: Microwave and infrared radiations compared
Dietzel F (1975): Effects of electromagnetic radiation on implantation and intrauterine development of the rat
Chernovetz ME et al. (1975): Teratology, survival, and reversal learning after fetal irradiation of mice by 2450-MHz microwave energy

Effects of microwave exposure in utero on embryonal, fetal and postnatal development of mice med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

General information

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 3

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Reference articles

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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