Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Decreased body weight in fetal rats after irradiation with 2450-MHz (CW) microwaves med./bio.

By: Berman E, Carter HB

Published in: Health Phys 1984; 46 (3): 537-542

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This in vivo study was conductetd to investigate possible effects of 2.45 GHz microwaves exposure during pregnancy on the fetal development in rats.

Background/further details

A total of 47 female rats (90-day-old) were sham exposed (23 animals) and microwave exposed (24 animals). On the 21st day of pregnancy the rats were 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: intermittent; 100 min /day, day 6-15 of gestation	SAR: 6 mW/g power density: 400 W/m²

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Waveform	sinusoidal
Exposure duration	intermittent; 100 min /day, day 6-15 of gestation

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	anechoic chamber
Chamber	anechoic facility; acrylic plastic container 18.6 cm x 10cm x 11 cm
Setup	containers parallel to H-vector

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	6 mW/g	-	estimated	-	-
power density	400 W/m²	-	measured	-	-

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on embryo/fetus: fetus abnormalities: body weight, sternal 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)

The body weight and the number of sternal ossifications were significantly decreased in the microwave irradiated groups. Less sternal ossification as occured in irradiated fetuses is a sign of growth retardation.
The pregnancy rates, numbers of live, dead or resorbed, as well as total fetuses per litter and the number of abnormal fetuses per litter were similar in sham exposed and microwave exposed groups.
The core temperature of the pregnant rats increased 2°C after a single microwave exposure.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Shahin S et al. (2013): 2.45 GHz microwave irradiation-induced oxidative stress affects implantation or pregnancy in mice, Mus musculus
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