Noninvasive assessment of metabolic effects of exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields on Djungarian Hamsters ( Phodopus sungorus ).

Radiation research · 2014 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4687

Study snapshot

PublicationRadiation research · 2014

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Sixteen male Djungarian hamsters, serving as their own controls, were individually exposed to RF-EMF (900 MHz, GSM modulation) at 0 (sham), 0.08, 0.4 or 4 W/kg specific absorption rate (SAR) in specially constructed rectangular waveguides. Exposure duration was one week per condition, followed by one week without exposure. Once per day, the temperatures of the hamsters' back fur (a surrogate for skin temperature) and the cornea of the eye (a surrogate for body temperature), were measured by infrared thermography. Oxygen, carbon dioxide and humidity were measured continuously in the ambient and exhaled air. Food and water consumption, as well as body weight were recorded once per week. Only at the highest SAR level were the following effects observed: fur temperatures were elevated by approximately 0.5°C (P < 0.001), while the temperatures of the eyes' surface were not affected; food consumption was lowered (P < 0.05), while water consumption and body weight were not affected; the production of carbon dioxide was lowered during the day (P < 0.01) and unaffected during the night, while oxygen consumption levels remained unaffected and finally the respiratory quotient (carbon dioxide production divided by oxygen consumption) was lower during the day (P < 0.05) and also somewhat lower during the night (not significant). The results demonstrate the usefulness of our methods for experiments dealing with metabolic effects of RF-EMF exposure in rodents. They also confirm the assumption that even though the metabolism is reduced at high SAR levels, the body core temperature is being kept constant by the energy uptake from the RF-EMF exposure which is able to physiologically compensate for the reduced metabolism.

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 directionmixed

PopulationMale Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

Sample size16

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 4 W/kg · One week per condition (0, 0.08, 0.4, 4 W/kg), each followed by one week without exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 86% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 16 male Djungarian hamsters exposed to 900 MHz (GSM) RF-EMF at 0, 0.08, 0.4, or 4 W/kg SAR, effects were observed only at 4 W/kg: back fur temperature increased by ~0.5°C while corneal temperature was not affected; food consumption decreased while water consumption and body weight were unchanged; daytime CO2 production decreased and respiratory quotient decreased (daytime significant; nighttime not significant), while oxygen consumption was unchanged.

Outcomes measured

Back fur temperature (surrogate for skin temperature)
Corneal temperature (surrogate for body temperature)
Oxygen consumption
Carbon dioxide production
Respiratory quotient (CO2/O2)
Ambient and exhaled air humidity
Food consumption
Water consumption
Body weight

Limitations

Small sample size (n=16)
Animal study (rodent model)
Short exposure duration (one week per condition)
Back fur and corneal temperatures are described as surrogates for skin and body temperature

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": 4,
    "duration": "One week per condition (0, 0.08, 0.4, 4 W/kg), each followed by one week without exposure"
  },
  "population": "Male Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)",
  "sample_size": 16,
  "outcomes": [
    "Back fur temperature (surrogate for skin temperature)",
    "Corneal temperature (surrogate for body temperature)",
    "Oxygen consumption",
    "Carbon dioxide production",
    "Respiratory quotient (CO2/O2)",
    "Ambient and exhaled air humidity",
    "Food consumption",
    "Water consumption",
    "Body weight"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 16 male Djungarian hamsters exposed to 900 MHz (GSM) RF-EMF at 0, 0.08, 0.4, or 4 W/kg SAR, effects were observed only at 4 W/kg: back fur temperature increased by ~0.5°C while corneal temperature was not affected; food consumption decreased while water consumption and body weight were unchanged; daytime CO2 production decreased and respiratory quotient decreased (daytime significant; nighttime not significant), while oxygen consumption was unchanged.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (n=16)",
    "Animal study (rodent model)",
    "Short exposure duration (one week per condition)",
    "Back fur and corneal temperatures are described as surrogates for skin and body temperature"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.86,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "900 MHz",
    "GSM modulation",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "Djungarian hamster",
    "Phodopus sungorus",
    "metabolism",
    "thermography",
    "oxygen consumption",
    "carbon dioxide production",
    "respiratory quotient",
    "food consumption",
    "body temperature"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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/rr13646.1
PubMed: 24844649

Read the original paper →

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