Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

900 MHz electromagnetic field exposure affects qualitative and quantitative features of hippocampal pyramidal cells in the adult female rat med./bio.

Published in: Brain Res 2009; 1265: 178-185

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effect of postnatal exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on the number of pyramidal cells in the Cornu Ammonis of the hippocampus in rats.

Background/further details

Female rats (12 weeks old) were assigned to a cage control (n=6), an exposure group (n=6) and a sham exposure group (n=6). All rats were sacrificed at the end of 16 weeks.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: 1 h/day for 28 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 1 h/day for 28 days
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 1 cm
Setup antenna placed inside the tube cage
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.016 W/kg - - whole body -
SAR 2 W/kg average over mass - brain -
power 2 W peak value - - -
power density 1 mW/cm² - measured - -

Reference articles

  • Odaci E et al. (2008): Effects of prenatal exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on the dentate gyrus of rats: a stereological and histopathological study
  • Yildiz M et al. (2006): Influence of electromagnetic fields and protective effect of CAPE on bone mineral density in rats
  • Koylu H et al. (2006): Melatonin modulates 900 Mhz microwave-induced lipid peroxidation changes in rat brain
  • Koyu A et al. (2005): Effects of 900MHz electromagnetic field on TSH and thyroid hormones in rats

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

There was no significant difference in body weight between the exposure group compared to the cage control and the sham exposure group.
Dark cell density (=damaged cells) was significantly increased in the exposure group compared to the cage control and the sham exposure group. Postnatal exposure caused a significant decrease of the pyramidal cell number in the Cornu Ammonis of the exposure group.
Chronic exposure of 900 MHz electromagnetic fields may play a critical role in the neuronal development of the hippocampus.

Study character:

Study funded by

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