Effects of prenatal exposure to WiFi signal on postnatal development and behavior in rat: Influence of maternal restraint

Abstract

Effects of prenatal exposure to WiFi signal on postnatal development and behavior in rat: Influence of maternal restraint Haifa Othman, Mohamed Ammari, Mohsen Sakly, Hafedh Abdelmelek. Effects of prenatal exposure to WiFi signal (2.45 GHz) on postnatal development and behavior in rat: Influence of maternal restraint. Behavioural Brain Research. 36:291-302. May 2017. dx.doi.org Highlights • Effects of gestational exposure to WiFi signal and restraint along gestation period on the offspring were studied. • The pups were evaluated for physical development and neuromotor maturation. • Gestational WiFi exposure and restraint, adversely affected offspring neurodevelopment and behavior at adulthood. • Progeny brain oxidative balance and serum biochemistry were disrupted. Abstract The present study was carried out to investigate the potential combined influence of maternal restraint stress and 2.45 GHz WiFi signal exposure on postnatal development and behavior in the offspring of exposed rats. 24 pregnant albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Control, WiFi-exposed, restrained and both WiFi-exposed and restrained groups. Each of WiFi exposure and restraint occurred 2 h/day along gestation till parturition. The pups were evaluated for physical development and neuromotor maturation. Moreover, elevated plus maze test, open field activity and stationary beam test were also determined on postnatal days 28, 30 and 31, respectively. After behavioral tests, the rats were anesthetized and their brains were removed for biochemical analysis. Our main findings showed no detrimental effects on gestation progress and outcomes at delivery in all groups. Subsequently, WiFi and restraint, per se and mainly in concert altered physical development of pups with slight differences between genders. Behaviorally, the gestational WiFi irradiation, restraint and especially the associated treatment affected the neuromotor maturation mainly in male progeny. At adult age, we noticed anxiety, motor deficit and exploratory behavior impairment in male offspring co- exposed to WiFi radiation and restraint, and in female progeny subjected to three treatments. The biochemical investigation showed that, all three treatments produced global oxidative stress in brain of both sexes. As for serum biochemistry, phosphorus, magnesium, glucose, triglycerides and calcium levels were disrupted. Taken together, prenatal WiFi radiation and restraint, alone and combined, provoked several behavioral and biochemical impairments at both juvenile and adult age of the offspring. sciencedirect.com Also see: Pregnancy & Wireless Radiation Risks

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In 24 pregnant rats assigned to control, WiFi-exposed (2.45 GHz), restrained, or combined WiFi+restraint groups (2 h/day during gestation), there were no detrimental effects on gestation progress or delivery outcomes. WiFi exposure and restraint (alone and especially combined) were reported to alter offspring physical development, neuromotor maturation (mainly in males), adult behavior (anxiety, motor deficit, exploratory impairment), and to produce brain oxidative stress and disruptions in several serum biochemistry measures.

Outcomes measured

• Gestation progress and delivery outcomes
• Offspring physical development
• Neuromotor maturation
• Anxiety-like behavior (elevated plus maze)
• Open field activity/exploratory behavior
• Motor coordination/balance (stationary beam test)
• Brain oxidative stress/oxidative balance
• Serum biochemistry (phosphorus, magnesium, glucose, triglycerides, calcium)

Limitations

• SAR/dosimetry not reported in the abstract
• Animal study; generalizability to humans not addressed in the abstract
• Combined exposure with maternal restraint stress may confound attribution to WiFi alone

Suggested hubs

• school-wi-fi (0.55)
  Study involves WiFi (2.45 GHz) exposure, though in an animal prenatal model rather than a school setting.

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    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "wi-fi",
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "2 h/day during gestation until parturition"
    },
    "population": "Pregnant albino Wistar rats and their offspring",
    "sample_size": 24,
    "outcomes": [
        "Gestation progress and delivery outcomes",
        "Offspring physical development",
        "Neuromotor maturation",
        "Anxiety-like behavior (elevated plus maze)",
        "Open field activity/exploratory behavior",
        "Motor coordination/balance (stationary beam test)",
        "Brain oxidative stress/oxidative balance",
        "Serum biochemistry (phosphorus, magnesium, glucose, triglycerides, calcium)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In 24 pregnant rats assigned to control, WiFi-exposed (2.45 GHz), restrained, or combined WiFi+restraint groups (2 h/day during gestation), there were no detrimental effects on gestation progress or delivery outcomes. WiFi exposure and restraint (alone and especially combined) were reported to alter offspring physical development, neuromotor maturation (mainly in males), adult behavior (anxiety, motor deficit, exploratory impairment), and to produce brain oxidative stress and disruptions in several serum biochemistry measures.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "SAR/dosimetry not reported in the abstract",
        "Animal study; generalizability to humans not addressed in the abstract",
        "Combined exposure with maternal restraint stress may confound attribution to WiFi alone"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "prenatal exposure",
        "gestation",
        "WiFi",
        "2.45 GHz",
        "restraint stress",
        "rat",
        "offspring",
        "neurodevelopment",
        "behavior",
        "oxidative stress",
        "serum biochemistry"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
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            "slug": "school-wi-fi",
            "weight": 0.5500000000000000444089209850062616169452667236328125,
            "reason": "Study involves WiFi (2.45 GHz) exposure, though in an animal prenatal model rather than a school setting."
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}

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