Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (UMTS) on reproduction and development of mice: a multi-generation study med./bio.

By: Sommer AM, Grote K, Reinhardt T, Streckert J, Hansen V, Lerchl A

Published in: Radiat Res 2009; 171 (1): 89-95

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate whether chronic exposure to UMTS at various SAR-values affects the fertility and development of mice over four generations.

Background/further details

The first generation (F0) consisted of 128 male and 256 female mice. After 21 days or when a second litter was born, the pups were separated from the adults. After the pups of the second litters were weaned, the parental animals were killed. The males and females from both litters were placed seperately in cages until an age of 90 to 110 days when again males and females were placed in one cage. This procedure was repeated until shortly before the birth of the pups of the F3 parental animals.

Endpoint

effects on embryo/fetus: developmental parameters
effects on the reproductive system: reproductive ability in parental animals

Exposure

- mobile communications
- UMTS

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 2 GHz Exposure duration: continuous for 570 days with a 30 min break each night	power density: 1.35 W/m² minimum power density: 6.8 W/m² power density: 22 W/m² maximum SAR: 0.08 W/kg average over mass (whole body) (0.08 W/kg - 0.144 W/kg at 1.35 W/m² Power density) SAR: 0.4 W/kg average over mass (whole body) (0.4 W/kg - 0.72 W/kg at 6.8 W/m² Power density) SAR: 1.3 W/kg average over mass (whole body) (1.3 W/kg - 2.34 W/kg at 22 W/m² Power density)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	2 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 570 days with a 30 min break each night

Exposure setup

Exposure source	radial waveguide
Setup	radial waveguide with an inner plate distance of 17 cm and a diameter of 2 cm
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	1.35 W/m²	minimum	measured	-	-
power density	6.8 W/m²	-	measured	-	-
power density	22 W/m²	maximum	measured	-	-
SAR	0.08 W/kg	average over mass	calculated	whole body	0.08 W/kg - 0.144 W/kg at 1.35 W/m² Power density
SAR	0.4 W/kg	average over mass	calculated	whole body	0.4 W/kg - 0.72 W/kg at 6.8 W/m² Power density
SAR	1.3 W/kg	average over mass	calculated	whole body	1.3 W/kg - 2.34 W/kg at 22 W/m² Power density

Reference articles

Reinhardt T et al. (2007): Exposure set-ups for in vivo experiments using radial waveguides
Ndoumbe Mbonjo Mbonjo H et al. (2004): Generic UMTS test signal for RF bioelectromagnetic studies

Exposed system:

animal
mouse/C57BL
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on embryo/fetus: number of fetuses (with and without malformations), body weights, eye opening, survival rate of pups during the weaning period
effects on the reproductive system: necropsy (hematoxylin-eosin stain) of parental animals to assess the number of resorptions and corpora lutea, uterus weights (histological analysis), number of intact and malformed spermatids, testicular weight, accessory gland weight, total number of sperm/tubule, epididymis weight
cognitive/behavioral endpoints: motor function and coordination of the pups (righting reflex: pups were placed with their backs on a flat surface, and the time until all paws had contact with the surface was recorded)
water and food consumption, body weight

Investigated system:

isolated organ
sperms, spermatids, testes
investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

reproductive system

Time of investigation:

during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The results did not show harmful effects of exposure on the fertility and the development of the animals. The number and the development of pups were not affected by exposure. There are some indications for effects of exposure on food consumption. The effects were up to -25% compared to the sham exposure group.
The results do not indicate harmful effects of longterm exposure of mice to UMTS over several generations. The explanation for the lowered food consumption could be metabolic effects: absorbed radiofrequency electromagnetic field energy might be used by the animals in a way that reduces the metabolism of food for heating.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
blind study

Study funded by

Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (BfS; Federal Office for Radiation Protection), Salzgitter, Germany
Deutsches Mobilfunk Forschungsprogramm (DMF; German Mobile Phone Research Programme) at Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS)

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