Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Lack of teratogenicity after combined exposure of pregnant mice to CDMA and WCDMA radiofrequency electromagnetic fields med./bio.

By: Lee HJ, Lee JS, Pack JK, Choi HD, Kim N, Kim SH, Lee YS

Published in: Radiat Res 2009; 172 (5): 648-652

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the teratogenic effects of multi-signal radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on mouse fetuses.

Background/further details

Pregnant mice were divided into different groups: 1) sham exposed CDMA control mice, 2) CDMA-exposed mice, 3) sham exposed CDMA + WCDMA control mice and 4) CDMA + WCDMA simultaneously exposed mice. Mice received two 45 min radiofrequency field exposures, separated by a 15 minutes interval, daily throughout the entire gestation period. The mice were killed on the 18^th day of gestation and fetuses were examined.
A relatively high SAR was used because if adverse effects in mice fetus were not detected at this SAR, realistic radiofrequency field exposures are unlikely to affect humans.

Endpoint

effects on embryo/fetus: teratogenicity (mortality, growth retardation, head size, morphological malformations)

Exposure

- RF field
- CDMA
- mobile communications
- mobile phone

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 848.5 MHz Exposure duration: continuous 2 times 45 min/day, separated by 15 min, throughout gestation (17 days) CDMA	electric field strength: 176.36 V/m effective value (73.1 V/m - 176.36 V/m) SAR: 4.04 W/kg average over mass (whole body) (0.69 W/kg - 4.04 W/kg) SAR: 2 W/kg average over mass (whole body) (at P = 30 W) power: 60 W maximum
Exposure 2: 1,950 MHz Exposure duration: 2 times 45 min/d, separated by 15 min, throughout gestation (17 days) WCDMA	electric field strength: 162.5 V/m effective value (64.17 V/m - 162.5 V/m) SAR: 7.13 W/kg average over mass (whole body) (1.11 W/kg - 7.13 W/kg) SAR: 2 W/kg average over mass (whole body) (at P = 18 W) power: 60 W maximum

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	848.5 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous 2 times 45 min/day, separated by 15 min, throughout gestation (17 days)
Additional info	CDMA

Exposure setup

Exposure source	patch antenna
Chamber	2295 mm x 2293 mm x 1470 mm reverberation chamber
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
electric field strength	176.36 V/m	effective value	measured	-	73.1 V/m - 176.36 V/m
SAR	4.04 W/kg	average over mass	calculated	whole body	0.69 W/kg - 4.04 W/kg
SAR	2 W/kg	average over mass	calculated	whole body	at P = 30 W
power	60 W	maximum	-	-	-

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,950 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	2 times 45 min/d, separated by 15 min, throughout gestation (17 days)
Additional info	WCDMA

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
electric field strength	162.5 V/m	effective value	measured	-	64.17 V/m - 162.5 V/m
SAR	7.13 W/kg	average over mass	calculated	whole body	1.11 W/kg - 7.13 W/kg
SAR	2 W/kg	average over mass	calculated	whole body	at P = 18 W
power	60 W	maximum	-	-	-

Exposed system:

animal
mouse/ICR
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on embryo/fetus: teratogenicity (mortality, growth retardation, head size, morphological internal and external malformations)
effects on the reproductive system: uterine content (implantation sites, sex and number of viable fetuses, number of dead fetuses, number of resorptions, fetal weights, placental weights)
maternal weight gain, rectal temperature

Investigated system:

tissue slices
isolated organ
fetuses
investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

before exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Simultaneous experimental exposure to CDMA and WCDMA radiofrequency electromagnetic fields did not cause any observable adverse effects on mouse fetuses.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
Short Communication

Study funded by

The Korea Communications Commission (KCC), Korea

Suzuki S et al. (2017): Influence of radiofrequency-electromagnetic waves from 3rd-generation cellular phones on fertilization and embryo development in mice
Safian F et al. (2016): Survival assessment of mouse preimplantation embryos after exposure to cell phone radiation
Bakacak M et al. (2015): The effects of electromagnetic fields on the number of ovarian primordial follicles: An experimental study
Shirai T et al. (2014): Multigenerational effects of whole body exposure to 2.14 GHz W-CDMA cellular phone signals on brain function in rats
Amer FI et al. (2013): Effect Of Microwave Radiation On The Retina Of Mice Embryos
Shahin S et al. (2013): 2.45 GHz microwave irradiation-induced oxidative stress affects implantation or pregnancy in mice, Mus musculus
Poulletier de Gannes F et al. (2012): Effect of in utero wi-fi exposure on the pre- and postnatal development of rats
Laudisi F et al. (2012): Prenatal exposure to radiofrequencies: Effects of WiFi signals on thymocyte development and peripheral T cell compartment in an animal model
Jin YB et al. (2011): One-year, simultaneous combined exposure of CDMA and WCDMA radiofrequency electromagnetic fields to rats
Sambucci M et al. (2010): Prenatal Exposure to Non-ionizing Radiation: Effects of WiFi Signals on Pregnancy Outcome, Peripheral B-Cell Compartment and Antibody Production
Takahashi S et al. (2010): Lack of adverse effects of whole-body exposure to a mobile telecommunication electromagnetic field on the rat fetus
Fragopoulou AF et al. (2010): Cranial and postcranial skeletal variations induced in mouse embryos by mobile phone radiation
Ogawa K et al. (2009): Effects of gestational exposure to 1.95-GHz W-CDMA signals for IMT-2000 cellular phones: Lack of embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in rats
Juutilainen J (2005): Developmental effects of electromagnetic fields
Heynick LN et al. (2003): Radiofrequency fields and teratogenesis
Xenos TD et al. (2003): 5.6 Low power density RF-radiation effects on experimental animal embryos and foetuses
Tofani S et al. (1986): Effects of continuous low-level exposure to radiofrequency radiation on intrauterine development in rats

Lack of teratogenicity after combined exposure of pregnant mice to CDMA and WCDMA radiofrequency electromagnetic fields med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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