Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of simultaneous combined exposure to CDMA and WCDMA electromagnetic fields on serum hormone levels in rats med./bio.

Published in: J Radiat Res 2013; 54 (3): 430-437

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate several parameters of the endocrine system after exposure to a single CDMA or a combined CDMA and WCDMA signal.

Background/further details

Rats were divided into three groups, each group consisted of 40 male and 40 female rats: 1.) sham exposure, 2.) exposure to CDMA and 3.) exposure to CDMA and WCDMA. After 4 weeks of exposure, half of the animals of every group were sacrificed. The second half was exposed another 4 weeks before sacrifice. Organs were taken out for histopathological examinations and blood was collected for determination of serum levels of diverse hormons.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 848.5 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous 45 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 or 8 weeks
  • power: 30 W
  • SAR: 4 W/kg average over mass (whole body)
Exposure 2: 848.5–1,950 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous 45 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 or 8 weeks
combined CDMA + WCDMA exposure

General information

Rats were treated in the following three groups: i) sham exposure ii) exposure to CDMA iii) exposure to CDMA and WCDMA

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 848.5 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous 45 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 or 8 weeks
Additional info CDMA exposure
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber 2295 mm x 2293 mm x 1470 mm reverberation chamber with 2.3 mm thick stainless steel walls
Setup eight 420 mm x 260 mm x 180 mm polycarbonate cages with 5 rats each placed on a table inside the exposure chamber; position of the cages changed daily
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 30 W - - - -
SAR 4 W/kg average over mass calculated whole body -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 848.5–1,950 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous 45 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 or 8 weeks
Additional info combined CDMA + WCDMA exposure
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 4 W/kg average over mass calculated whole body 2 W/kg for the CDMA signal and 2 W/kg for the WCDMA signal
power 30 W - - - for the CDMA signal
power 18 W - - - for the WCDMA signal

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

There was no difference in body weight among the sham, CDMA alone or combined exposed groups. Histopathological analysis of the organs was performed and no significant alterations were found.
After exposure to CDMA alone or simultaneous exposure to CDMA and WCDMA no alteration was found in serum melatonin levels in comparison to the sham exposed animals after 4 and after 8 weeks. Serum TSH concentration increased with age in both male and female rats, but no statistical significance between sham exposed and exposed animals was found. Serum triiodothyronine and thyroxine hormone levels of CDMA alone or combined exposed rats did not show any significant differences compared with sham exposed rats. Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone levels decreased with age in both male and female rats. However, CDMA alone or simultaneous combined exposure did not affect serum ACTH levels when compared with those of sham exposed rats. Sex hormone levels increased with age. CDMA alone or combined exposure of CDMA and WCDMA did not alter the serum level of sex hormones in comparison to the sham exposed group.
The authors summarize that neither CDMA nor a combination of CDMA and WCDMA exposure affected the rats' serum hormone level in this study.

Study character:

Study funded by

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