Influence of pre- and postnatal exposure of rats to 2.45-GHz microwave radiation on neurobehavioral function.

Abstract

Rats exposed to microwaves prenatally (2,450 MHz, 10 mW/cm2, 3 h/day, days 5-20 of gestation) or perinatally (same as above plus days 2-20 postnatally) were examined by a neurobehavioral test battery on postnatal days 30 and 100. Body mass, locomotor activity, startle to acoustic and air-puff stimuli, fore- and hindlimb grip strength, negative geotaxis, reaction to thermal stimulation, and swimming endurance were assessed. The prenatally and the perinatally exposed rats (male and female) weighted more than sham-exposed rats at 30, but not at 100, days of age. In addition, the perinatally exposed animals had less swimming endurance at 30, but not at 100, days of age relative to sham-exposed rats. For the other measures, only the air-puff startle response was altered and was limited to the prenatally exposed female pups; ie, at postnatal day 30, the startle response was increased in magnitude, and at postnatal day 100, the response was decreased. No other reliable effects were observed. In a second experiment, rats treated as described above were examined for alterations in body mass, locomotor activity, reaction to air-puff stimuli, reaction to thermal stimulation, and swimming endurance at postnatal days 30-36. Again, perinatally exposed rats were larger in body mass and had less swimming endurance compared with sham-exposed rats. The latency to the air-puff startle response was longer in female pups exposed prenatally. These data indicate that altered endurance and gross motor activity result from perinatal exposure to microwave irradiation.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Prenatally and perinatally exposed rats weighed more than sham-exposed rats at postnatal day 30 but not at day 100. Perinatally exposed rats showed reduced swimming endurance at postnatal day 30 (and days 30–36 in a second experiment) but not at day 100. Air-puff startle response changes were reported (increased magnitude at day 30 and decreased at day 100 in prenatally exposed females; longer latency in prenatally exposed females in the second experiment), while other measures showed no other reliable effects.

Outcomes measured

• Body mass
• Locomotor activity
• Startle response to acoustic stimuli
• Startle response to air-puff stimuli (magnitude/latency)
• Forelimb grip strength
• Hindlimb grip strength
• Negative geotaxis
• Reaction to thermal stimulation
• Swimming endurance

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• SAR not reported (only power density given)
• Many outcomes assessed; limited effects reported and some were sex- and timepoint-specific
• Details of randomization/blinding not stated in abstract

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "10 mW/cm2, 3 h/day; prenatal days 5–20 gestation and/or perinatal (plus postnatal days 2–20)"
    },
    "population": "Rats (male and female pups) exposed prenatally or perinatally; compared with sham-exposed rats",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Body mass",
        "Locomotor activity",
        "Startle response to acoustic stimuli",
        "Startle response to air-puff stimuli (magnitude/latency)",
        "Forelimb grip strength",
        "Hindlimb grip strength",
        "Negative geotaxis",
        "Reaction to thermal stimulation",
        "Swimming endurance"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Prenatally and perinatally exposed rats weighed more than sham-exposed rats at postnatal day 30 but not at day 100. Perinatally exposed rats showed reduced swimming endurance at postnatal day 30 (and days 30–36 in a second experiment) but not at day 100. Air-puff startle response changes were reported (increased magnitude at day 30 and decreased at day 100 in prenatally exposed females; longer latency in prenatally exposed females in the second experiment), while other measures showed no other reliable effects.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "SAR not reported (only power density given)",
        "Many outcomes assessed; limited effects reported and some were sex- and timepoint-specific",
        "Details of randomization/blinding not stated in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "rat",
        "prenatal exposure",
        "perinatal exposure",
        "microwave radiation",
        "2.45 GHz",
        "2450 MHz",
        "power density",
        "neurobehavioral",
        "startle response",
        "swimming endurance",
        "body mass"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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