Teratogenic effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on the embryonic development of chick: A study on morphology and hatchability (2G and 4G study)

Research in veterinary science · 2023 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 497

Study snapshot

PublicationResearch in veterinary science · 2023

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Teratogenic effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on the embryonic development of chick: A study on morphology and hatchability (2G and 4G study) Augustianath T, Evans DA, Anisha GS. Teratogenic effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on the embryonic development of chick: A study on morphology and hatchability. Res Vet Sci. 2023 Apr 23;159:93-100. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.04.015. Abstract The present study was aimed at studying the effects of RF-EMR in causing teratogenic changes in the embryonic development of organisms using chick embryo as a model. The fertilized eggs of the hen were incubated in a digital humidified incubator and exposed to RF-EMR from 2G and 4G mobile phones by ringing at regular time intervals. The dose of RF-EMR was varied by increasing the call duration and number of calls per day, with the lower dose being a call duration of 50 min/day and the higher dose being 90 min/day. The phone kept had a range of radiofrequency between 900 and 1800 MHz and SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) 1.355 (2G) and 1.12 (4G) watts/ kg respectively. The batch of eggs incubated without any exposure to RF-EMR was taken as control. The hatchability of 2G and 4G experimental groups were respectively, 65% and 75% at lower radiation exposure and 40% and 55% at higher radiation exposure. The teratogenic effects of RF-EMR on the morphology of chick embryos manifested as the cross beak, non-retracted yolk sac, macrocephaly, malformed legs and toes, disability in standing and balancing the body and variations in body weight, body length and beak length. The results indicate that the RF-EMR poses potential threats to the developing stages of organisms. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionharm

PopulationChick embryos (fertilized hen eggs)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · Lower dose: 50 min/day; higher dose: 90 min/day; exposure via ringing at regular time intervals

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Eggs exposed to RF-EMR from 2G and 4G mobile phones showed reduced hatchability compared with controls, with lower hatchability at higher exposure (2G: 65% lower dose, 40% higher dose; 4G: 75% lower dose, 55% higher dose). Reported morphological abnormalities included cross beak, non-retracted yolk sac, macrocephaly, malformed legs/toes, and impaired standing/balancing, along with variations in body weight, body length, and beak length.

Outcomes measured

Hatchability
Embryo morphology/teratogenic changes (e.g., cross beak, non-retracted yolk sac, macrocephaly, malformed legs/toes, disability in standing/balancing)
Body weight
Body length
Beak length

Limitations

Sample size not reported in the abstract
Exposure characterization is limited to phone RF range (900–1800 MHz) and SAR values; detailed dosimetry/field measurements not described in the abstract
Ringing/call schedule details beyond total minutes per day are not fully specified in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Lower dose: 50 min/day; higher dose: 90 min/day; exposure via ringing at regular time intervals"
  },
  "population": "Chick embryos (fertilized hen eggs)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Hatchability",
    "Embryo morphology/teratogenic changes (e.g., cross beak, non-retracted yolk sac, macrocephaly, malformed legs/toes, disability in standing/balancing)",
    "Body weight",
    "Body length",
    "Beak length"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Eggs exposed to RF-EMR from 2G and 4G mobile phones showed reduced hatchability compared with controls, with lower hatchability at higher exposure (2G: 65% lower dose, 40% higher dose; 4G: 75% lower dose, 55% higher dose). Reported morphological abnormalities included cross beak, non-retracted yolk sac, macrocephaly, malformed legs/toes, and impaired standing/balancing, along with variations in body weight, body length, and beak length.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Exposure characterization is limited to phone RF range (900–1800 MHz) and SAR values; detailed dosimetry/field measurements not described in the abstract",
    "Ringing/call schedule details beyond total minutes per day are not fully specified in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMR",
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation",
    "2G",
    "4G",
    "mobile phone",
    "chick embryo",
    "teratogenicity",
    "morphology",
    "hatchability",
    "SAR"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Exposure source is 2G/4G mobile phones with reported SAR and frequency range."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.04.015
PubMed: 37104994

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