Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Can prenatal exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field affect the morphology of the spleen and thymus, and alter biomarkers of oxidative damage in 21-day-old male rats? med./bio.

Published in: Biotech Histochem 2015; 90 (7): 535-543

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of prenatal exposure of rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on oxidative stress and the histology of spleen and thymus should be investigated.

Background/further details

Six pregnant rats were divided into 2 groups (n=3 each): 1) exposure to the electromagnetic field and a 2) non-exposed control group. From each group, 6 pups were randomly selected 21 days after birth and investigated .

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 1 hour/day between days 13 and 21 of pregnancy

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 1 hour/day between days 13 and 21 of pregnancy
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber plexiglass jar (30 cm x 42 cm x 50 cm)
Setup setup consisted of an oscillator connected to a half-wave dipole antenna (1 mm x 15 cm copper rod) using a coaxial cable; the antenna was installed centrally approximately 11 cm into the open end of the jar; rats were placed within the jar at the same time
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 13.77 V/m mean measured - -
power density 0.5 W/m² mean measured - -
SAR 0.025 W/kg - calculated whole body -
power 300 mW - - - approximate output power

Reference articles

  • Odaci E et al. (2015): Pathological effects of prenatal exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on the 21-day-old male rat kidney
  • Hanci H et al. (2013): The effect of prenatal exposure to 900-megahertz electromagnetic field on the 21-old-day rat testicle
  • Bas O et al. (2013): Pyramidal Cell Loss in the Cornu Ammonis of 32-day-old Female Rats Following Exposure to a 900 Megahertz Electromagnetic Field During Prenatal Days 13-21
  • Ikinci A et al. (2013): The Effects of Prenatal Exposure to a 900 Megahertz Electromagnetic Field on Hippocampus Morphology and Learning Behavior in Rat Pups
  • Odaci E et al. (2013): The Effects of 900 Megahertz Electromagnetic Field Applied in the Prenatal Period on Spinal Cord Morphology and Motor Behavior in Female Rat Pups

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Light microscopy showed cells with large eosinophilic, granular cytoplasm and round and oval nuclei (oncocytic-like cells) in the thymus of exposed animals. In the spleen, cells from the megakaryocyte, erythrocyte and myeloid series were found in exposed animals, suggestive of extramedullary (i.e. outside of the bone marrow) haematopoiesis in the spleen. Thymus and spleen tissue from control group animals did not show pathological changes.
Transmission electron microscopy revealed pathological changes (degeneration of cells and organelles) in thymus and spleen of the exposure group but not in the control group.
In the thymus of exposed animals, lipid peroxidation was significantly increased and the amount of reduced glutathione was significantly reduced compared to the control group. In the spleen of exposed animals, lipid peroxidation and the amount of reduced glutathione were both significantly increased and the superoxide dismutase enzyme activity was significantly reduced compared to the control group.
The authors conclude that prenatal exposure of rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field could cause oxidative stress and pathological changes in the spleen and thymus.

Study character:

Study funded by

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