Effects of Long-Term and Multigeneration Exposure of Caenorhabditis elegans to 9.4 GHz Microwaves

Abstract

Effects of Long-Term and Multigeneration Exposure of Caenorhabditis elegans to 9.4 GHz Microwaves Sun A, Zhao X, Li Z, Gao Y, Liu Q, Zhou H, Dong G, Wang C. Effects of Long-Term and Multigeneration Exposure of Caenorhabditis elegans to 9.4 GHz Microwaves. Bioelectromagnetics. 2022 May 11. doi: 10.1002/bem.22409. Abstract A large number of studies on the biological effects of microwaves are carried out using rodents and cells, but the conditions are difficult to control, and the irradiation period is short; the results obtained have always been controversial and difficult to reproduce. In this study, we expose nematodes to an electromagnetic environment for a long-term and multigeneration period to explore the possible biological effects. Wild-type N2 strains of Caenorhabditis elegans are exposed to 9.4 GHz microwaves at a specific adsorption rate of 4 W/kg for 10 h per day from L1 larvae to adults. Then, adult worms are washed off, and the laid eggs are kept to hatch L1 larvae, which are continuously exposed to microwaves until passing through 20 generations. The worms of the 10th, 15th, and 20th generations are collected for index detection. Interestingly, we found that the fecundity of C. elegans decreased significantly in the exposed group from the 15th generation. At the same time, we found that the growth of C. elegans decreased, motility decreased, and oxidative stress occurred in the exposed group from the 10th generation, which may play roles in the decreased spawning in worms. We preliminarily believe that the microwave energy received by worms leads to oxidative stress, which causes a decrease in the spawning rate, and the underlying mechanism needs to be further studied. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

C. elegans exposed to 9.4 GHz microwaves (SAR 4 W/kg) showed significantly decreased fecundity starting from the 15th generation. Decreased growth, decreased motility, and oxidative stress were observed starting from the 10th generation in the exposed group.

Outcomes measured

• fecundity
• growth
• motility
• oxidative stress

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Mechanistic conclusions described as preliminary; underlying mechanism stated to need further study
• Details of exposure setup/control conditions not provided in abstract
• Only selected generations (10th, 15th, 20th) were collected for measurements per abstract

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 9400,
        "sar_wkg": 4,
        "duration": "10 h per day from L1 larvae to adults; continued across 20 generations"
    },
    "population": "Wild-type N2 strains of Caenorhabditis elegans",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "fecundity",
        "growth",
        "motility",
        "oxidative stress"
    ],
    "main_findings": "C. elegans exposed to 9.4 GHz microwaves (SAR 4 W/kg) showed significantly decreased fecundity starting from the 15th generation. Decreased growth, decreased motility, and oxidative stress were observed starting from the 10th generation in the exposed group.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Mechanistic conclusions described as preliminary; underlying mechanism stated to need further study",
        "Details of exposure setup/control conditions not provided in abstract",
        "Only selected generations (10th, 15th, 20th) were collected for measurements per abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "Caenorhabditis elegans",
        "microwaves",
        "9.4 GHz",
        "SAR 4 W/kg",
        "multigeneration",
        "long-term exposure",
        "fecundity",
        "motility",
        "growth",
        "oxidative stress"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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