Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Observations of rat fetuses after irradiation with 2450-MHz (CW) microwaves med./bio.

By: Berman E, Carter HB, House D

Published in: J Microw Power 1981; 16 (1): 9-13

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This in vivo study was conducted to explore possible effects of microwave exposure during pregnancy in rat fetuses.

Background/further details

A total of 70 female rats (90-day-old) were microwave irradiated and 67 animals sham exposed. On the 21st day of pregnancy, each female was killed and their fetuses examined.

Endpoint

effects on embryo/fetus: fetus abnormalities

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.45 GHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: 100 min/day for 6th to 15th day of gestation	SAR: 4.2 mW/g (at 28 mW/cm²)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	100 min/day for 6th to 15th day of gestation

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	anechoic chamber
Chamber	Plexiglas containers / 18 cm long x 10 cm high x 11 cm base-width and 6 cm top-width
Additional info	Plexiglas containers placed on foamed polystyrene trays. The containers were positioned in an area of 70 cm x 50 cm with the long axis parallel to H-field vector.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	4.2 mW/g	-	cf. remarks	cf. remarks	at 28 mW/cm²

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on embryo/fetus: fetus abnormalities: body weight, sternal/ribs ossification
effects on the reproductive system: pregnancy rate; litter size: number of live, dead or resorbed fetuses
core temperature (measurement of the rectal temperature) of the pregnant rats

Investigated system:

tissue slices
fetus

Investigated organ system:

reproductive system
muscular/skeletal system

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No statistically significant differences were found in any investigated parameters between microwave exposure and sham exposure group.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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