Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Evaluation of the effects of mobile phones on the neural tube development of chick embryos med./bio.

By: Umur AS, Yaldiz C, Bursali A, Umur N, Kara B, Barutcuoglu M, Vatansever S, Selcuki D, Selcuki M

Published in: Turk Neurosurg 2013; 23 (6): 742-752

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of exposure to mobile phones on the developing neural tissue of chicken embryos.

Background/further details

Fertilized eggs were divided into 4 groups (n=50 per group): 1.) no exposure, 2.) exposed to a mobile phone in the "standby mode", 3.) exposed to a mobile phone in the "calling mode" and 4.) exposed to a mobile phone in the "talking mode". Eggs were opened and examined after 30, 48 or 72 hours.

Endpoint

effects on the neurological system: development of the neural tube

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: unspecified Exposure duration: standby mode for 30, 48 or 72 hours	-
Exposure 2: unspecified Exposure duration: calling mode for 30, 48 or 72 hours (mobile phone was called every 30 minutes for 10 seconds)	SAR: 0.77 W/kg
Exposure 3: unspecified Exposure duration: talking mode for 30, 48 or 72 hours (mobile phone was kept in talking mode for 10 minutes every hour)	SAR: 0.77 W/kg

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	unspecified
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	standby mode for 30, 48 or 72 hours

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone
Setup	mobile phone was placed in the center of the incubator with a distance of < 25 cm between mobile phone and eggs; eggs were incubated at 37°C ± 0.02°C and relative humidity of 50-60%

Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	unspecified
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	calling mode for 30, 48 or 72 hours (mobile phone was called every 30 minutes for 10 seconds)

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.77 W/kg	-	-	-	-

Exposure 3

Main characteristics

Frequency	unspecified
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	talking mode for 30, 48 or 72 hours (mobile phone was kept in talking mode for 10 minutes every hour)

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.77 W/kg	-	-	-	-

Exposed system:

animal
chicken embryos/White Leghorn (eggs)
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on embryo/fetus: see "effects on the neurological system"
morphol./histopathol. changes: see "effects on the neurological system"
effects on the neurological system: histopathological evaluation and apoptosis in tissue slices of the neural tube (TUNEL assay, light microscopy), immunoreactivity of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9) (immunohistochemistry, counterstaining with Mayer's hematoxylin) (microscopy)

Investigated system:

tissue slices

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In group 3, closing of the neural tube was completed only after 72 hours, while in the other groups this developmental stage was already completed after 48 hours.
In tissue slices of the neural tube received from group 3 after 30- and 48-hours exposure, the TUNEL assay showed significantly increased apoptosis rates compared to not exposed tissue slices.
The immunoreactivity of caspase-3 and caspase-8 was highest in group 3 at all time points in comparison to the other groups, while the immunoreactivity of caspase-9 was highest in group 2 after 72-hours exposure.
The authors conclude that exposure to mobile phones could have a deleterious effect on the neural tube development of chick embryos.

Study character:

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

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Woelders H et al. (2017): Study of potential health effects of electromagnetic fields of telephony and Wi-Fi, using chicken embryo development as animal model
Tsybulin O et al. (2013): GSM 900 MHz cellular phone radiation can either stimulate or depress early embryogenesis in Japanese quails depending on the duration of exposure
Burlaka A et al. (2013): Overproduction of free radical species in embryonal cells exposed to low intensity radiofrequency radiation
Tsybulin O et al. (2012): GSM 900 MHz microwave radiation affects embryo development of Japanese quails
Batellier F et al. (2008): Effects of exposing chicken eggs to a cell phone in "call" position over the entire incubation period
Xenos TD et al. (2003): 5.6 Low power density RF-radiation effects on experimental animal embryos and foetuses
Saito K et al. (1995): Maldevelopment of early chick embryos induced by nonthermogenic dose radio frequency radiation at 428 MHz for the first 48 hours
Saito K et al. (1991): Lethal and teratogenic effects of long-term low-intensity radio frequency radiation at 428 MHz on developing chick embryo
Spiers DE et al. (1991): Thermal and metabolic responsiveness of Japanese quail embryos following periodic exposure to 2,450 MHz microwaves
Inouye M et al. (1982): Effects of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on the development of Japanese quail cerebellum
Galvin MJ et al. (1980): Effects of 2.45-GHz microwave radiation on embryonic quail hearts
McRee DI et al. (1977): Exposure of Japanese quail embryos to 2.45-GHz microwave radiation during development
McRee DI et al. (1975): Some effects of exposure of the Japanese quail embryo to 2.45-GHz microwave radiation

Evaluation of the effects of mobile phones on the neural tube development of chick embryos med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 3

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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