Can prenatal exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field affect the morphology of the spleen and thymus, and alter biomarkers of oxidative damage in 21-day-old male rats?

Abstract

We investigated the effects of a 900 Megahertz (MHz) electromagnetic field (EMF), applied during the prenatal period, on the spleen and thymus of 21-day-old male rat pups. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control and EMF groups. We applied 900 MHz EMF for 1 h/day to the EMF group of pregnant rats. Newborn male rat pups were removed from their mothers and sacrificed on postnatal day 21. Spleen and thymus tissues were excised and examined. Compared to the control group, thymus tissue malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in the group exposed to EMF, while glutathione levels were significantly decreased. Increased malondialdehyde and glutathione levels were observed in splenic tissue of rats exposed to EMF, while a significant decrease occurred in superoxide dismutase values compared to controls. Transmission electron microscopy showed pathological changes in cell morphology in the thymic and splenic tissues of newborn rats exposed to EMF. Exposure to 900 MHz EMF during the prenatal period can cause pathological and biochemical changes that may compromise the development of the male rat thymus and spleen.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Compared with controls, thymus tissue malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher and glutathione levels were significantly decreased in offspring prenatally exposed to 900 MHz EMF. In spleen tissue, malondialdehyde and glutathione levels were increased and superoxide dismutase values were significantly decreased versus controls; electron microscopy showed pathological cell morphology changes in thymic and splenic tissues.

Outcomes measured

• Spleen morphology (including transmission electron microscopy findings)
• Thymus morphology (including transmission electron microscopy findings)
• Thymus malondialdehyde (MDA) levels
• Thymus glutathione levels
• Spleen malondialdehyde (MDA) levels
• Spleen glutathione levels
• Spleen superoxide dismutase (SOD) values

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Specific exposure characterization beyond frequency and 1 h/day (e.g., SAR, field strength) not reported in abstract
• Only male offspring assessed and only at postnatal day 21

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 900,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "1 h/day during prenatal period"
    },
    "population": "Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats and their 21-day-old male offspring (rat pups)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Spleen morphology (including transmission electron microscopy findings)",
        "Thymus morphology (including transmission electron microscopy findings)",
        "Thymus malondialdehyde (MDA) levels",
        "Thymus glutathione levels",
        "Spleen malondialdehyde (MDA) levels",
        "Spleen glutathione levels",
        "Spleen superoxide dismutase (SOD) values"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Compared with controls, thymus tissue malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher and glutathione levels were significantly decreased in offspring prenatally exposed to 900 MHz EMF. In spleen tissue, malondialdehyde and glutathione levels were increased and superoxide dismutase values were significantly decreased versus controls; electron microscopy showed pathological cell morphology changes in thymic and splenic tissues.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Specific exposure characterization beyond frequency and 1 h/day (e.g., SAR, field strength) not reported in abstract",
        "Only male offspring assessed and only at postnatal day 21"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "900 MHz",
        "radiofrequency",
        "prenatal exposure",
        "Sprague-Dawley rat",
        "thymus",
        "spleen",
        "oxidative stress",
        "malondialdehyde",
        "glutathione",
        "superoxide dismutase",
        "transmission electron microscopy"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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