EMF-Portal | Postnatal functional analysis of prenatal exposure of rats to 915 MHz microwave radiation

Postnatal functional analysis of prenatal exposure of rats to 915 MHz microwave radiation med./bio.

By: Jensh RP, Vogel WH, Brent RL

Published in: J Am Coll Toxicol 1982; 1 (3): 73-90

Journal

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study if chronic prenatal exposure to 10 mW/cm² 915 MHz microwave irradiation can cause changes in postnatal and adult neurological and neurobehavioral development.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 915 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 6 h/day from day 1 to 21 of gestation	power density: 10 mW/cm²

General information

Pregnant rats (n=30) were randomly assigned to one of the two baseline control groups (n=5, home cage; or n=10, anechoic chamber isolation cage), concurrent control group (n=4) or experimental group (n=11)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	915 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	repeated daily exposure, 6 h/day from day 1 to 21 of gestation

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	anechoic chamber
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	10 mW/cm²	-	-	-	-

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar albino
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on embryo/fetus: number of abnormal neonates; number of neonates alive; resorption rate; different behavioral and neonatal reflex tests (see below); morphologic teratogenic analysis (see below)

effects on the reproductive system: maternal fertility test (mean litter size; number of abnormal offspring (see above))

morphol./histopathol. changes: morphologic teratologic analysis

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: different neonatal reflex tests (e.g. auditory startle, visual placing (tests visual acuity)); behavioral tests (e.g. water T-maze, conditioned avoidance response, open field, activity wheel)

body weight of dams and offspring; eye opening; organ weight of brain, liver, kidneys, ovaries and testes of offspring and dams

Investigated system:

isolated organ
dead fetuses
investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

reproductive system
brain/CNS
eye, liver, kidneys, gonads, ovary, testis

Time of investigation:

during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant morphologic or neurobehavioral changes were revealed due to chronic prenatal exposure to 915 MHz microwaves at a continuous wave power density level of 10 mW/cm².

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

National Institutes of Health (NIH), Maryland, USA

Jensh RP (1984): Studies of the teratogenic potential of exposure of rats to 6000 MHz microwave radiation. II. Postnatal psychophysiologic evaluations

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

Jensh RP et al. (1982): Teratologic studies of prenatal exposure of rats to 915 MHz microwave radiation