Medical/biological study (experimental study)

In situ detection of gliosis and apoptosis in the brains of young rats exposed in utero to a Wi-Fi signal med./bio.

By: Ait-Aissa S, Billaudel B, Poulletier de Gannes F, Hurtier A, Haro E, Taxile M, Ruffie G, Athane A, Veyret B, Lagroye I

Published in: CR physique 2010; 11 (9-10): 592-601

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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To assess whether exposure to a WiFi signal had an impact on the central nervous system of young rats exposed in utero and during early life.

Background/further details

60 pregnant rats were exposed or sham-exposed to a WiFi signal at different SAR values during the last two weeks of gestation (cage control, sham exposure group and three exposure groups à 12 animals). Following the in utero exposure, the pups were divided into two groups: one group continued exposure for 5 weeks after birth (together with the dams and three pups per litter) and the rest of the litter (exposed only in utero) was kept in the animal facility for 5 weeks (n=3-15 per litter). One pup per litter was investigated.

Endpoint

effects on the neurological system: gliosis and apoptosis in the brains of young rats

Exposure

- 2.45 GHz
- RF field
- W-LAN/WiFi

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.45 GHz Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks (day 6 to day 21 of gestation) or 7 weeks (day 6 to day 21 of gestation + 5 weeks after birth)	SAR: 0.08 W/kg (for the dams) SAR: 0.4 W/kg (for the dams) SAR: 4 W/kg (for the dams) SAR: 9 W/kg peak value (whole body) (9 ± 3 W/kg for the pups)

General information

Rats were divided into five groups: i) cage control ii) sham exposure iii) whole body exposure at 0.08 W/kg (public exposure limit) iv) whole body exposure at 0.4 W/kg (professional exposure limit) v) whole body exposure at 4 W/kg (ICNIRP critical level)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks (day 6 to day 21 of gestation) or 7 weeks (day 6 to day 21 of gestation + 5 weeks after birth)

Exposure setup

Exposure source	dipole antenna
Setup	150 cm x 150 cm x 150 cm cubic reverberation chamber with six dipole antennas, activated at random and three paddles for mode stirring; animal cages placed in a 40 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm volume at the center of the chamber
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	Wi-Fi signal (IEEE 802.11 b/g) based on the "dialog" between two PCs equipped with Wi-Fi cards

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.08 W/kg	-	calculated	whole body	for the dams
SAR	0.4 W/kg	-	calculated	whole body	for the dams
SAR	4 W/kg	-	calculated	whole body	for the dams
SAR	9 W/kg	peak value	calculated	whole body	9 ± 3 W/kg for the pups

Reference articles

Wu T et al. (2010): Whole-body new-born and young rats' exposure assessment in a reverberating chamber operating at 2.4 GHz

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on embryo/fetus: see "effects on the neurological system"
effects on the neurological system: gliosis and apoptosis in the brains of young rats (gliosis/astrocyte activation (GFAP expression of ten different brain areas; immunohistochemistry) and apoptosis (TUNEL assay))

Investigated system:

tissue slices

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Under these experimental conditions, whole body exposure in utero with and without extended postnatal exposure to a WiFi signal did not trigger persistent astroglia activation or did not induce apoptosis in the brains of young rats. These data suggest that prenatal exposure to WiFi has no deleterious effects on the integrity of the developing rat brain.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
blind study

Study funded by

Fondation Santé et Radiofréquences, France
France Telecom

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