Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of nonionizing radiation on the Purkinje cells of the rat cerebellum med./bio.

By: Albert EN, Sherif MF, Papadopoulos NJ, Slaby FJ, Monahan J

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 1981; 2 (3): 247-257

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effect of microwave exposure on the density of Purkinje cells in developing rat brains in three different experiments: 1) rats and their offspring were exposed to 100 MHz (CW) electromagnetic irradiation (SAR 2.77 mW/g) for 4 h/day for 97 days; 2) pregnant rats were exposed daily from 17 to 21 days of gestation with 2450 MHz (CW) microwaves (SAR 2 mW/g) for 21 h/day; 3) 6-day-old rat pups were exposed 7 h/day for five days with 2450 MHz irradiation at 10 mW/cm².

Endpoint

effects on the neurological system: density of Purkinje cells in developing rat brains

Exposure

- 2.45 GHz
- microwaves
- CW continuous wave

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.45 GHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: 21 h/day for 5 days	SAR: 2 mW/g mean (cf. remarks) (0.5 W/kg min value; 6 W/kg max value) power density: 100 W/m² mean (animal might have recieved 40 W/m² min value; 300 W/m² max value)
Exposure 2: 2.45 GHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: 7 h/day for 5 days	power density: 100 W/m² unspecified
Exposure 3: 100 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: pregnant rats starting on the sixth day of gestation throughtout their pregnancy period were exposed; their off-spings were exposed 4 h/day for 97 days	SAR: 2.77 mW/g unspecified power density: 460 W/m² unspecified

General information

Pregnant rats were exposed.

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Waveform	sinusoidal
Exposure duration	21 h/day for 5 days

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	horn antenna anechoic chamber
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	2.08 m
Chamber	plexiglas containers with removable polystyrene grids/ 19 x 11.4 x 7.6 cm

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	2 mW/g	mean	calculated	cf. remarks	0.5 W/kg min value; 6 W/kg max value
power density	100 W/m²	mean	measured	-	animal might have recieved 40 W/m² min value; 300 W/m² max value

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Waveform	sinusoidal
Exposure duration	7 h/day for 5 days

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	horn antenna anechoic chamber
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	2.08 m
Chamber	plexiglas containers with removable polystyrene grids/ 19 x 11.4 x 7.6 cm

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	100 W/m²	unspecified	unspecified	-	-

Exposure 3

Main characteristics

Frequency	100 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Waveform	sinusoidal
Exposure duration	pregnant rats starting on the sixth day of gestation throughtout their pregnancy period were exposed; their off-spings were exposed 4 h/day for 97 days
Additional info	Ref.Article: Smialowicz RI, Berman E, Bwisian SJ, Kim JB, Liddle CG, Reiter LW, Weil CM (1979): Chronic exposure of rats to 100 MHz (CW) radiofrequency radiation: Assesment of biological effects . URSI Bioelectromagnetics Symposium. Abstracts, p 397.

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	not specified
Additional info	*

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	2.77 mW/g	unspecified	unspecified	-	-
power density	460 W/m²	unspecified	measured	-	-

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on embryo/fetus
effects on the neurological system: density of Purkinje cells (hematoxylin-eosin stain and other stains)

Investigated system:

tissue slices

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The results showed a significant and irreversible decrease of Purkinje cell density in rats irradiated during fetal or fetal and early postnatal life. In rats exposed postnatally, and euthanized immediately after exposure, significant decrease in the relative number of Purkinje cells was apparent. However, restoration apparently occured after forty days of recovery.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USA
U.S. Navy

Aslan A et al. (2017): Long-term exposure to a continuous 900 MHz electromagnetic field disrupts cerebellar morphology in young adult male rats
Sonmez OF et al. (2010): Purkinje cell number decreases in the adult female rat cerebellum following exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic field
Ragbetli MC et al. (2010): The effect of mobile phone on the number of Purkinje cells: a stereological study
Paulraj R et al. (2006): Protein kinase C activity in developing rat brain cells exposed to 2.45 GHz radiation
Berman E et al. (1984): Decreased body weight in fetal rats after irradiation with 2450-MHz (CW) microwaves
Chazan B et al. (1983): Effects of microwave exposure in utero on embryonal, fetal and postnatal development of mice
Inouye M et al. (1982): Effects of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on the development of Japanese quail cerebellum
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 uvula in squirrel monkey cerebellum
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

Effect of nonionizing radiation on the Purkinje cells of the rat cerebellum med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

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

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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