Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to GSM-Like Radiofrequency on Blood Chemistry and Oxidative Stress in Infant Rabbits, an Experimental Study med./bio.

By: Ozgur E, Kismali G, Guler G, Akcay A, Ozkurt G, Sel T, Seyhan N

Published in: Cell Biochem Biophys 2013; 67 (2): 743-751

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the potential hazardous effects of prenatal and/or postnatal exposure to a GSM-like radiofrequency field on the blood chemistry and lipid peroxidation levels of infant rabbits.

Background/further details

Pregnant rabbits were sham exposed (n=9) or exposed (n=9). After birth, 72 newborn were divided into four groups: 1.) sham exposure (control group), 2.) prenatal exposure, 3.) postnatal exposure and 4.) prenatal and postnatal exposure. Postnatal exposure started at an age of 1 month. During postnatal exposure, female infants were exposed for 7 days, whereas male infants were exposed for 14 days. The day after the last exposure, rabbits were killed and examined.

Endpoint

blood parameters, lipid peroxidation

Exposure

- 1,800 MHz
- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,800 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: 15 min/day for 7 days in pregnant animals (between 15th and 22nd day of gestation), for 7 days in female infants and for 14 days in male infants	power: 0.1 W maximum (applied output power)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,800 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	15 min/day for 7 days in pregnant animals (between 15th and 22nd day of gestation), for 7 days in female infants and for 14 days in male infants

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	576 ms
Duty cycle	12.5 %
Repetition frequency	217 Hz
Pulse type	rectangular

Exposure setup

Setup	An RFR generator provided 20 dBm (0.1 W) power during the exposure period.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	0.1 W	maximum	-	-	applied output power

Reference articles

Guler G et al. (2012): The effect of radiofrequency radiation on DNA and lipid damage in female and male infant rabbits

Exposed system:

animal
rabbit/New Zealand
whole body: prenatal and/or postnatal

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the immune system: blood chemistry parameters: level of cholesterol, creatinine, urea, uric acid, creatine kinase, creatine kinase-myocardial band isoenzyme, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, albumin, total protein, glucose (clinical biochemistry analyzer)
lipid peroxidation: level of malondialdehyde (via thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances)

Investigated system:

blood samples,

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

For infant female rabbits: There was no difference in the levels of cholesterol, uric acid, creatin kinase, creatine kinase-myocardial band isoenzyme and albumin. The level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was significantly decreased in the groups with postnatal exposure compared to the control group. In the prenatal exposed group, the level of aspartate aminotransferase was significantly increased when compared to the control group. The level of alanine transaminase was significantly increased in the group with prenatal exposure and in the group with postnatal exposure in comparison to the control. In all exposure groups, the total protein content was significantly increased, while the level of glucose and the level of urea were significantly decreased compared to the control group. The amount of lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in the prenatal exposure group compared to the control group.
For infant male rabbits: There was no difference in the levels of cholesterol, urea, creatin kinase, creatine kinase-myocardial band isoenzyme, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, total protein and glucose. In all exposure groups, the levels of creatinine and albumin were significantly increased, while the level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was significantly decreased compared to the control group. In both postnatal exposed groups, the level of uric acid was significantly increased when compared to the control. The level of alanine transaminase was significantly increased in the prenatal exposed group in comparison to he control group. The amount of lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in the prenatal exposure group compared to the control group.
(Remark EMF-Portal: Results taken from tables, sometimes variations in running text)
The authors conclude that exposure to a GSM-like radiofrequency field may lead to oxidative stress and changes on some blood chemistry parameters.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Ozorak A et al. (2013): Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz)- and Mobile Phone (900 and 1800 MHz)-Induced Risks on Oxidative Stress and Elements in Kidney and Testis of Rats During Pregnancy and the Development of Offspring
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Aydin B et al. (2011): Effects of a 900-MHz electromagnetic field on oxidative stress parameters in rat lymphoid organs, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and plasma
Tomruk A et al. (2010): The influence of 1800 MHz GSM-like signals on hepatic oxidative DNA and lipid damage in nonpregnant, pregnant, and newly born rabbits
Güler G et al. (2010): The effect of radiofrequency radiation on DNA and lipid damage in non-pregnant and pregnant rabbits and their newborns
Contalbrigo L et al. (2009): Effects of different electromagnetic fields on circadian rhythms of some haematochemical parameters in rats
Aweda MA et al. (2003): Effects of 2.45 GHz microwave exposures on the peroxidation status in Wistar rats
Galvin MJ et al. (1983): Effects of 2450 MHz microwave radiation during the gestational period on the postnatal hematology of rats
Galvin MJ et al. (1982): Studies on acute in vivo exposure of rats to 2450-MHz microwave radiation. III. Biochemical and hematologic effects