Effect of WiFi signal exposure in utero and early life on neurodevelopment and behaviors of rats

Abstract

Effect of WiFi signal exposure in utero and early life on neurodevelopment and behaviors of rats Wu H, Min D, Sun B, Ma Y, Chen H, Wu J, Ren P, Wu J, Cao Y, Zhao B, Wang P. Effect of WiFi signal exposure in utero and early life on neurodevelopment and behaviors of rats. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Aug 10. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-29159-4. Abstract The aim of this study is to examine the long-term effects of prenatal and early-life WIFI signal exposure on neurodevelopment and behaviors as well as biochemical alterations of Wistar rats. On the first day of pregnancy (E0), expectant rats were allocated into two groups: the control group (n = 12) and the WiFi-exposed group (WiFi group, n = 12). WiFi group was exposed to turn on WiFi for 24 h/day from E0 to postnatal day (PND) 42. The control group was exposed to turn-off WiFi at the same time. On PND7-42, we evaluated the development and behavior of the offspring, including body weight, pain threshold, and swimming ability, spatial learning, and memory among others. Also, levels of proteins involved in apoptosis were analyzed histologically in the hippocampus in response to oxidative stress. The results showed that WiFi signal exposure in utero and early life (1) increased the body weight of WiFi + M (WiFi + male) group; (2) no change in neuro-behavioral development was observed in WiFi group; (3) increased learning and memory function in WiFi + M group; (4) enhanced comparative levels of BDNF and p-CREB proteins in the hippocampus of WiFi + M group; (5) no neuronal loss or degeneration was detected, and neuronal numbers in hippocampal CA1 were no evidently differences in each group; (6) no change in the apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3 and Bax) levels; and (7) no difference in GSH- PX and SOD activities in the hippocampus. Prenatal WiFi exposure has no effects on hippocampal CA1 neurons, oxidative equilibrium in brain, and neurodevelopment of rats. Some effects of prenatal WiFi exposure are sex dependent. Prenatal WiFi exposure increased the body weight, improved the spatial memory and learning function, and induced behavioral hyperactivity of male rats pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Excerpt On E0, the gravid rats were separated into 2 groups: the control group (n = 12) and the WiFi-exposed group (WiFi group, n = 12). Separate housing was provided for every pregnant rat. WiFi group was exposed to turn on WiFi for 24 h/day for 9 weeks. The control group was exposed to turn-off WiFi for the same time. WiFi device was (802-16e 2005 WiMAX Indoor CPE antennae, model number: WIXFMM-130, China) with a frequency of 2450 MHz (2.45 GHz). The duration of radiation was 24 h/day in a 30-cm distance from the antenna to the cages. We test the average electric field intensity is 2.1 V/m, the average power density is 82.32 mV/m2, average magnetic field intensity is 14.31 mA/m, and there are no differences between the inside and outside of the plastic cage.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Compared with controls, continuous WiFi exposure (2450 MHz) from pregnancy day E0 through PND42 increased body weight in male offspring and was associated with increased learning/memory function in males, along with higher hippocampal BDNF and p-CREB levels in males. The study reports no observed changes in overall neuro-behavioral development in the WiFi group, no evident differences in hippocampal CA1 neuronal numbers or degeneration, no changes in caspase-3 or Bax, and no differences in hippocampal GSH-PX and SOD activities.

Outcomes measured

• Body weight
• Pain threshold
• Swimming ability
• Spatial learning and memory
• Behavioral hyperactivity
• Hippocampal histology (CA1 neuronal loss/degeneration; neuronal numbers)
• Apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3, Bax)
• BDNF and p-CREB protein levels in hippocampus
• Oxidative stress/antioxidant markers in hippocampus (GSH-PX, SOD)

Limitations

• No SAR reported
• Exposure characterization limited to field intensity/power density/magnetic field at a stated distance; dosimetry in animals not provided
• Sex-dependent findings reported; details of behavioral hyperactivity measurement not provided in abstract
• Sample size reported for pregnant dams/groups; offspring numbers per group not stated in abstract

Suggested hubs

• school-wi-fi (0.6)
  Study evaluates biological/neurobehavioral effects of WiFi (2.45 GHz) exposure, relevant to WiFi exposure discussions.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "wi-fi",
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "24 h/day from gestational day E0 to postnatal day 42 (about 9 weeks); exposure at 30 cm from antenna"
    },
    "population": "Wistar rats (prenatal and early-life exposure; offspring assessed PND7–42)",
    "sample_size": 24,
    "outcomes": [
        "Body weight",
        "Pain threshold",
        "Swimming ability",
        "Spatial learning and memory",
        "Behavioral hyperactivity",
        "Hippocampal histology (CA1 neuronal loss/degeneration; neuronal numbers)",
        "Apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3, Bax)",
        "BDNF and p-CREB protein levels in hippocampus",
        "Oxidative stress/antioxidant markers in hippocampus (GSH-PX, SOD)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Compared with controls, continuous WiFi exposure (2450 MHz) from pregnancy day E0 through PND42 increased body weight in male offspring and was associated with increased learning/memory function in males, along with higher hippocampal BDNF and p-CREB levels in males. The study reports no observed changes in overall neuro-behavioral development in the WiFi group, no evident differences in hippocampal CA1 neuronal numbers or degeneration, no changes in caspase-3 or Bax, and no differences in hippocampal GSH-PX and SOD activities.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "No SAR reported",
        "Exposure characterization limited to field intensity/power density/magnetic field at a stated distance; dosimetry in animals not provided",
        "Sex-dependent findings reported; details of behavioral hyperactivity measurement not provided in abstract",
        "Sample size reported for pregnant dams/groups; offspring numbers per group not stated in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "WiFi",
        "2450 MHz",
        "prenatal exposure",
        "early-life exposure",
        "Wistar rats",
        "neurodevelopment",
        "behavior",
        "spatial learning",
        "memory",
        "hippocampus",
        "BDNF",
        "p-CREB",
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            "reason": "Study evaluates biological/neurobehavioral effects of WiFi (2.45 GHz) exposure, relevant to WiFi exposure discussions."
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}

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