Microwave-induced increase of water and conductivity in submaxillary salivary gland of rats

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.2250020106· OSTI ID:5428241

Mikolajczyk, H

Hypersalivation is an important mechanism for heat dissipation by animals without sweat glands. The water content and conductivity (at 20 kHz) in submaxillary salivary glands (SSG) and in other tissues were investigated in adult male rats exposed to microwaves (2880 MHz, 1.5 microsecond pulses at 1000 Hz) or to conventional heat at 40 degrees C. Eighty rats in one series were exposed, one at a time, for 30 min to microwaves producing a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4.2, 6.3, 6.8, 8.4, 10.8 or 12.6 W/kg. Fifty rats were sham-exposed under similar environmental conditions. In the second series, ten rats were sham-exposed, 33 rats were exposed one at time, for 15, 30 or 60 min to microwaves at a SAR of 9.5 W/kg, and 32 rats were exposed for similar periods to conventional heat at 40 degrees C. In rats of the first series colonic temperatures were elevated significantly at a SAR of 4.2 W/kg, while SSG water content and conductivity increased significantly at SAR values of 6.3 W/kg and higher. In the second series of experiments increases in colonic temperature and SSG water content were greater after 15 and 30 min of microwave exposure than after exposure to heat. Also, SSG conductivity was significantly depressed by heat and significantly increased by microwaves after exposure for 15 or 30 min. The results support the hypothesis that water content and conductivity of SSG of rats can be used as a sensitive specific test of a microwave induced thermal response.

• OSTI ID: 5428241
• Journal Information: Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States) Vol. 2:1; ISSN BLCTD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

551000 -- Physiological Systems
560400* -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY TEMPERATURE
CONTROL
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY ABSORPTION
GLANDS
MAMMALS
MICROWAVE RADIATION
ORGANS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RATS
RODENTS
SALIVARY GLANDS
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
THERMOREGULATION
VERTEBRATES