Lack of adverse effects of whole-body exposure to a mobile telecommunication electromagnetic field on the rat fetus.

Radiation research · 2010 · No effect · Moderate evidence

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No effectModerate evidencePaper 4392

Study snapshot

PublicationRadiation research · 2010

Study typeanimal

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

Abstract The recent steep increase in the number of users of cellular phones is resulting in marked increase of exposure of humans to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Children are of particular concern. Our goal was to evaluate potential adverse effects of long-term whole-body exposure to EMFs simulating those from base stations for cellular phone communication. Pregnant rats were given low, high or no exposure. At the high level, the average specific absorption rate (SAR)for the dams was 0.066-0.093 W/kg. The SAR for the fetuses and the F(1) progeny was 0.068-0.146 W/kg. At the low level, the SARs were about 43% of these. The 2.14 GHz signals were applied for 20 h per day during the gestation and lactation periods. No abnormal findings were observed in either the dams or the F(1) generation exposed to the EMF or in the F(2) offspring. Parameters evaluated included growth, gestational condition and organ weights for dams and survival rates, development, growth, physical and functional development, hormonal status, memory function and reproductive ability of the F(1) offspring (at 10 weeks of age) along with embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in the F(2) rats. Thus, under our experimental conditions, whole-body exposure to 2.14 GHz for 20 h per day during gestation and lactation did not cause any adverse effects on pregnancy or the development of rats.

Machine Enhanced Logic

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 directionno_effect

PopulationPregnant rats (dams), F(1) progeny, and F(2) offspring

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 2140 MHz · 0.066 W/kg · 20 h/day during gestation and lactation

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Pregnant rats and their offspring were exposed whole-body to 2.14 GHz signals (simulating base-station exposure) for 20 h/day during gestation and lactation at low or high SAR levels. No abnormal findings or adverse effects were observed in dams, F(1) generation, or F(2) offspring across assessed developmental, functional, hormonal, reproductive, and teratogenicity endpoints under the experimental conditions.

Outcomes measured

Growth
Gestational condition
Organ weights (dams)
Survival rates (F1)
Development (F1)
Physical development (F1)
Functional development (F1)
Hormonal status (F1)
Memory function (F1)
Reproductive ability (F1)
Embryotoxicity (F2)
Teratogenicity (F2)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "base station",
    "frequency_mhz": 2140,
    "sar_wkg": 0.066,
    "duration": "20 h/day during gestation and lactation"
  },
  "population": "Pregnant rats (dams), F(1) progeny, and F(2) offspring",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Growth",
    "Gestational condition",
    "Organ weights (dams)",
    "Survival rates (F1)",
    "Development (F1)",
    "Physical development (F1)",
    "Functional development (F1)",
    "Hormonal status (F1)",
    "Memory function (F1)",
    "Reproductive ability (F1)",
    "Embryotoxicity (F2)",
    "Teratogenicity (F2)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Pregnant rats and their offspring were exposed whole-body to 2.14 GHz signals (simulating base-station exposure) for 20 h/day during gestation and lactation at low or high SAR levels. No abnormal findings or adverse effects were observed in dams, F(1) generation, or F(2) offspring across assessed developmental, functional, hormonal, reproductive, and teratogenicity endpoints under the experimental conditions.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "2.14 GHz",
    "base station",
    "whole-body exposure",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "pregnancy",
    "gestation",
    "lactation",
    "rat fetus",
    "developmental toxicity",
    "teratogenicity",
    "embryotoxicity"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Animal study assessing RF exposure with SAR metrics relevant to guideline discussions."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1667/rr1615.1
PubMed: 20199221

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