Studies of the teratogenic potential of exposure of rats to 6000-MHz microwave radiation. I. Morphologic analysis at term.

Abstract

Thirty-six pregnant Wistar strain albino rats were exposed throughout pregnancy to 6000-MHz microwave radiation at a power density level of 35 mW/cm2 or were used as controls. The irradiation did not cause a significant increase in maternal body temperature as measured by a rectal thermocouple. The rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups: home cage control (5), anechoic chamber control (10), sham-irradiated concurrent control (10), and irradiated (11). All animals were killed on the 22nd day of gestation, and maternal tissues were removed and weighed and maternal blood samples were taken. The 384 resultant fetuses and their placentas were individually weighed, fixed, and dissected to determine normality. Teratologic evaluation included the following parameters: maternal weight and weight gain; mean litter size; maternal organ weight and organ weight/body weight ratios; body weight ratios of brain, liver, kidneys, and ovaries; maternal peripheral blood parameters including hematocrit, hemoglobin, and white cell counts; number of resorptions and resorption rate; number of abnormalities and abnormality rate; mean term fetal weight. The irradiated fetuses exhibited slight but statistically significant growth retardation at term. Term maternal monocyte count was also significantly depressed. No other parameters differed between the control groups and the irradiated group.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Pregnant rats exposed throughout pregnancy to 6000-MHz microwave radiation (35 mW/cm2) showed no significant increase in maternal body temperature. Irradiated fetuses had slight but statistically significant growth retardation at term, and term maternal monocyte count was significantly depressed; other measured parameters did not differ versus controls.

Outcomes measured

• Maternal body temperature
• Maternal weight and weight gain
• Mean litter size
• Maternal organ weights and organ weight/body weight ratios
• Maternal blood parameters (hematocrit, hemoglobin, white cell counts, monocyte count)
• Number of resorptions and resorption rate
• Number of fetal abnormalities and abnormality rate
• Mean term fetal weight
• Placenta weight
• Fetal normality/morphologic abnormalities at term

Limitations

• SAR not reported
• Exposure characterization limited to frequency and power density; other dosimetry details not provided in abstract
• Small group sizes (home cage control n=5; other groups n=10–11)

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 6000,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "throughout pregnancy"
    },
    "population": "Pregnant Wistar strain albino rats and their fetuses",
    "sample_size": 36,
    "outcomes": [
        "Maternal body temperature",
        "Maternal weight and weight gain",
        "Mean litter size",
        "Maternal organ weights and organ weight/body weight ratios",
        "Maternal blood parameters (hematocrit, hemoglobin, white cell counts, monocyte count)",
        "Number of resorptions and resorption rate",
        "Number of fetal abnormalities and abnormality rate",
        "Mean term fetal weight",
        "Placenta weight",
        "Fetal normality/morphologic abnormalities at term"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Pregnant rats exposed throughout pregnancy to 6000-MHz microwave radiation (35 mW/cm2) showed no significant increase in maternal body temperature. Irradiated fetuses had slight but statistically significant growth retardation at term, and term maternal monocyte count was significantly depressed; other measured parameters did not differ versus controls.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "SAR not reported",
        "Exposure characterization limited to frequency and power density; other dosimetry details not provided in abstract",
        "Small group sizes (home cage control n=5; other groups n=10–11)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave radiation",
        "6000 MHz",
        "rats",
        "pregnancy",
        "teratogenicity",
        "morphologic analysis",
        "fetal growth retardation",
        "monocyte count",
        "power density 35 mW/cm2"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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