In utero exposure to microwave radiation and rat brain development
Timed-pregnancy rats were exposed in a circular waveguide system starting on day 2 of gestation. The system operated at 2,450 MHz (pulsed waves; 8 microseconds PW; 830 pps). Specific absorption rate (SAR) was maintained at 0.4 W/kg by increasing the input power as the animals grew in size. On day 18 of gestation the dams were removed from the waveguide cages and euthanized; the fetuses were removed and weighed. Fetal brains were excised and weighed, and brain RNA, DNA and protein were determined. Values for measured parameters of the radiated fetuses did not differ significantly from those of sham-exposed fetuses. A regression of brain weight on body weight showed no micrencephalous fetuses in the radiation group when using as a criterion a regression line based on two standard errors of the estimate of the sham-exposed group. In addition, metrics derived from brain DNA (ie, cell number and cell size) showed no significant differences when radiation was compared to sham exposure. We conclude that 2,450-MHz microwave radiation, at an SAR of 0.4 W/kg, did not produce significant alterations in brain organogenesis.
- Research Organization:
- Radiation Physics Branch, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas
- OSTI ID:
- 6300224
- Journal Information:
- Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States), Vol. 5:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BRAIN
SIZE
MICROWAVE RADIATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
PRENATAL EXPOSURE
RATS
ANIMALS
BODY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MAMMALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
RADIATIONS
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects