In utero exposure to microwave radiation and rat brain development.

Abstract

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.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Across measured fetal parameters (body/brain weight; brain RNA, DNA, protein), values in radiated fetuses did not differ significantly from sham-exposed fetuses. No micrencephalous fetuses were identified in the radiation group using the stated regression criterion, and DNA-derived metrics (cell number and cell size) also showed no significant differences versus sham.

Outcomes measured

• Fetal body weight
• Fetal brain weight
• Brain RNA
• Brain DNA
• Brain protein
• Micrencephaly (via regression of brain weight on body weight)
• Brain cell number and cell size (derived from DNA metrics)

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in the abstract.
• Exposure details beyond frequency, pulse characteristics, and SAR (e.g., field uniformity, dosimetry uncertainty) not described in the abstract.
• Outcomes limited to gross/biochemical measures at gestation day 18; no postnatal or functional neurobehavioral outcomes reported in the abstract.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": 0.40000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
        "duration": "From day 2 to day 18 of gestation (rat pregnancy)"
    },
    "population": "Timed-pregnancy rats and their fetuses",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Fetal body weight",
        "Fetal brain weight",
        "Brain RNA",
        "Brain DNA",
        "Brain protein",
        "Micrencephaly (via regression of brain weight on body weight)",
        "Brain cell number and cell size (derived from DNA metrics)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Across measured fetal parameters (body/brain weight; brain RNA, DNA, protein), values in radiated fetuses did not differ significantly from sham-exposed fetuses. No micrencephalous fetuses were identified in the radiation group using the stated regression criterion, and DNA-derived metrics (cell number and cell size) also showed no significant differences versus sham.",
    "effect_direction": "no_effect",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in the abstract.",
        "Exposure details beyond frequency, pulse characteristics, and SAR (e.g., field uniformity, dosimetry uncertainty) not described in the abstract.",
        "Outcomes limited to gross/biochemical measures at gestation day 18; no postnatal or functional neurobehavioral outcomes reported in the abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "in utero",
        "prenatal exposure",
        "microwave radiation",
        "2450 MHz",
        "pulsed waves",
        "SAR 0.4 W/kg",
        "rat",
        "fetal brain development",
        "organogenesis",
        "RNA",
        "DNA",
        "protein",
        "brain weight",
        "micrencephaly"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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