An evaluation of the teratogenic potential of protracted exposure of pregnant rats to 2450-MHz microwave radiation. II. Postnatal psychophysiologic analysis.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine whether protracted prenatal exposure of rats to 2450-MHz microwave radiation at a power density level of 20 mW/cm2 would significantly alter postnatal growth and psychophysiologic development. Of 75 pregnant rats, 12 were exposed to microwave radiation, 4 sham-irradiated, and 59 served as environmental control animals. Forty-five females were allowed to deliver their offspring. The neonates were examined and weighed on d 3 and weekly thereafter until 87 d of age. Neonatal reflex tests were initiated as early as d 3 (surface righting, air righting, auditory startle, visual placing). One physiologic parameter, eye opening, was also observed. Mothers were rebred 10 d after weaning and a morphologic evaluation was completed on the second litter. Behavioral tests were begun at 60 d of age and included water T-maze, conditioned avoidance response, open field, activity wheel, forelimb hanging, and swimming. At 90 d of age offspring were bred within and across groups, and a morphologic teratologic analyses was completed on the offspring. Representative tissue samples were collected and organ weights recorded for the brain, liver, kidneys, and gonads of all animals. Analyses of the data indicated that there were no significant malformations or significant alterations in the neonatal physiologic or reflex test results, body/organ weight ratios, or breeding results in the adult offspring. There were no significant alterations in five of the six adult behavioral tests. There were significant differences in activity among the irradiated and control offspring between the sexes, the irradiated offspring being more active. These results are indicative of possible radiation-induced behavioral alterations. Further studies are needed to explore the possibility of microwave radiation-related alterations in animal behavior.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In offspring of rats prenatally exposed to 2450-MHz microwave radiation (20 mW/cm2), analyses found no significant malformations and no significant alterations in neonatal physiologic/reflex measures, body/organ weight ratios, or adult breeding results. Five of six adult behavioral tests showed no significant alterations; activity differed by sex between irradiated and control offspring, with irradiated offspring reported as more active.

Outcomes measured

• Postnatal growth (body weight)
• Neonatal reflex development (surface righting, air righting, auditory startle, visual placing)
• Eye opening
• Adult behavioral performance (water T-maze, conditioned avoidance response, open field, activity wheel, forelimb hanging, swimming)
• Morphologic/teratologic outcomes (malformations)
• Organ weights (brain, liver, kidneys, gonads) and body/organ weight ratios
• Adult breeding outcomes (within/across groups)

Limitations

• Exposure metric reported as power density (20 mW/cm2) without SAR
• Group sizes were uneven (12 exposed, 4 sham, 59 environmental controls; 45 females delivered)
• Abstract does not specify exposure schedule/timing details beyond 'protracted prenatal exposure'
• Statistical details (effect sizes, p-values) not provided in abstract

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "protracted prenatal exposure"
    },
    "population": "Pregnant rats and their offspring",
    "sample_size": 75,
    "outcomes": [
        "Postnatal growth (body weight)",
        "Neonatal reflex development (surface righting, air righting, auditory startle, visual placing)",
        "Eye opening",
        "Adult behavioral performance (water T-maze, conditioned avoidance response, open field, activity wheel, forelimb hanging, swimming)",
        "Morphologic/teratologic outcomes (malformations)",
        "Organ weights (brain, liver, kidneys, gonads) and body/organ weight ratios",
        "Adult breeding outcomes (within/across groups)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In offspring of rats prenatally exposed to 2450-MHz microwave radiation (20 mW/cm2), analyses found no significant malformations and no significant alterations in neonatal physiologic/reflex measures, body/organ weight ratios, or adult breeding results. Five of six adult behavioral tests showed no significant alterations; activity differed by sex between irradiated and control offspring, with irradiated offspring reported as more active.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure metric reported as power density (20 mW/cm2) without SAR",
        "Group sizes were uneven (12 exposed, 4 sham, 59 environmental controls; 45 females delivered)",
        "Abstract does not specify exposure schedule/timing details beyond 'protracted prenatal exposure'",
        "Statistical details (effect sizes, p-values) not provided in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "2450 MHz",
        "microwave radiation",
        "prenatal exposure",
        "rats",
        "teratogenicity",
        "postnatal development",
        "behavior",
        "activity",
        "reflex tests",
        "organ weights"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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