Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of 2.45 GHz CW microwave radiation on embryofetal development in mice med./bio.

By: Nawrot PS, McRee DI, Staples RE

Published in: Teratology 1981; 24 (3): 303-314

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This study was conducted to examine the embryo and fetus development in 2.45 GHz irradiated mice.

Background/further details

Mice were exposed to electromagnetic field during the first 15 days of gestation. To distinguish between thermal and nonthermal effects of the power densities of 21 or 30 mW/cm², groups of mice were also exposed to 30 and 31°C leading to comparable body temperature increase as due to radio frequency exposure. On day 18 of gestation, the dams were sacrificed and their reproductive status was determined.
Dead mice were exposed (see further exposure parameters "exposure 2") for specific absorption rate evaluation close to the uterus.

Endpoint

effects on embryo/fetus: embryo and fetus development

Exposure

- 2.45 GHz
- microwaves
- CW continuous wave

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.45 GHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: continuous 4h initial experiment for the measurement of the rectal temperature	power density: 5 mW/cm² minimum power density: 21 mW/cm²
Exposure 2: 2.45 GHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: not given in the article determination of SAR	SAR: 3.9 mW/g minimum (whole body) SAR: 40.2 mW/g minimum (whole body) power density: 30 mW/cm²
Exposure 3: 2.45 GHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: 2 times 4h/d for 15 days (days 1 - 15 of gestation) exposure on days 1 - 15 of gestation	power density: 5 mW/cm² SAR: 6.7 mW/g
Exposure 4: 2.45 GHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: 2 times 4h/d for 6 or 10 days (days 1 - 6 or 6 - 15 of gestation) exposure on days 1 - 6 or 6 -15 of gestation	power density: 21 mW/cm² SAR: 28.14 mW/g
Exposure 5: 2.45 GHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: 2 times 4h single exposure	power density: 30 mW/cm² SAR: 40.2 mW/g
Exposure 6: geomagnetic Exposure duration: no EMF-exposure temperature exposure	-

General information

there were two sham exposure groups: one handled - moved between cages as the exposed animals nonhandled - not moved

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous 4h
Additional info	initial experiment for the measurement of the rectal temperature

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	horn antenna anechoic chamber
Setup	2.5 m x 3.0 m x 2.5 m chamber lined with HYP-18 microwave absorber (-45 dB at 2.45 GHz); mice placed in 5 cm x 10 cm, 15 cm high Styrofoam cages on Styrofoam shelves inside the chamber; exposure from above through absorber-lined antenna
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	5 mW/cm²	minimum	measured	-	-
power density	21 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	-

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	not given in the article
Additional info	determination of SAR

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Setup	dead mice used in streched, curled and sitting position

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	3.9 mW/g	minimum	calculated	whole body	-
SAR	40.2 mW/g	minimum	calculated	whole body	-
power density	30 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	-

Exposure 3

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	2 times 4h/d for 15 days (days 1 - 15 of gestation)
Additional info	exposure on days 1 - 15 of gestation

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	5 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	-
SAR	6.7 mW/g	-	calculated	whole body	-

Exposure 4

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	2 times 4h/d for 6 or 10 days (days 1 - 6 or 6 - 15 of gestation)
Additional info	exposure on days 1 - 6 or 6 -15 of gestation

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	21 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	-
SAR	28.14 mW/g	-	calculated	whole body	-

Exposure 5

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	2 times 4h
Additional info	single exposure

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	30 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	-
SAR	40.2 mW/g	-	calculated	whole body	-

Exposure 6

Main characteristics

Frequency	geomagnetic
Exposure duration	no EMF-exposure
Additional info	temperature exposure

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Setup	temperature in chamber: 30° or 31°

Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Reference articles

McRee D et al. (1971): Microwave exposure system for biological specimens

Exposed system:

animal
mouse/CD-1
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on embryo/fetus: embryo and fetus development (number of litter, stunted and dead fetuses; incidence of malformations)
effects on the reproductive system: number of pregnant mice
rectal temperature (thermistor probe inserted 3 cm into the colon); body weight on days 1, 6, 15, and 18 of gestation

Investigated system:

isolated organ
fetus

Investigated organ system:

reproductive system
muscular/skeletal system

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The exposure to 2.45 GHz at power densities of 5 and 21 W/cm² did not produce any adverse effects in dams or fetus.
At the exposure to a power density of 30 W/cm² during days 1-6 of gestation a significant decrease in implantation sites per litter and average fetal weight was found. Exposure to 30 W/cm² during days 6-15 resulted in slight increase in malformed fetuses.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Shahin S et al. (2013): 2.45 GHz microwave irradiation-induced oxidative stress affects implantation or pregnancy in mice, Mus musculus
Amer FI et al. (2013): Effect Of Microwave Radiation On The Retina Of Mice Embryos
Grigoriev YG et al. (2010): Confirmation studies of Soviet research on immunological effects of microwaves: Russian immunology results
de Gannes FP et al. (2009): A confirmation study of Russian and Ukrainian data on effects of 2450 MHz microwave exposure on immunological processes and teratology in rats
Saito K et al. (2006): Teratogenic effects of static magnetic field on mouse fetuses
Saito K et al. (1991): Lethal and teratogenic effects of long-term low-intensity radio frequency radiation at 428 MHz on developing chick embryo
Jensh RP (1984): Studies of the teratogenic potential of exposure of rats to 6000 MHz microwave radiation. I. Morphologic analysis at term
Jensh RP et al. (1983): An evaluation of the teratogenic potential of protracted exposure of pregnant rats to 2450-MHz microwave radiation: I. Morphologic analysis at term
Jensh RP et al. (1983): An evaluation of the teratogenic potential of protracted exposure of pregnant rats to 2450-MHz microwave radiation. II. Postnatal psychophysiologic analysis
Chazan B et al. (1983): Effects of microwave exposure in utero on embryonal, fetal and postnatal development of mice
Jensh RP et al. (1982): Teratologic studies of prenatal exposure of rats to 915 MHz microwave radiation
Delgado JM et al. (1982): Embryological changes induced by weak, extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields

Effects of 2.45 GHz CW microwave radiation on embryofetal development in mice med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

General information

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 3

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 4

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 5

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 6

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Reference articles

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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