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Effects of prenatal 900 MHz electromagnetic field exposures on the histology of rat kidney.

International journal of radiation biology · 2015 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 4804

Prenatal 900 MHz EMF exposure was associated with significantly increased mean kidney and renal cortex volumes and decreased numbers of glomeruli in 4-week-old male rats compared with controls. Melatonin and omega-3 co-treatment groups were reported to preven…

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of radiation biology · 2015
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

PURPOSE: To research the harmful effects of prenatal exposure of 900 megahertz (MHz) electromagnetic field (EMF) on kidneys of four-week-old male rats and to determine protective effects of melatonin (MEL) and omega-3 (ω-3). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one Wistar albino rats were randomly placed into seven groups as follows: Control (Cont), Sham, MEL, ω-3, EMF, EMF+ MEL and EMF+ω-3. After mating, three groups (EMF, EMF+ MEL, EMF+ ω-3) were exposed to an EMF. In the fourth week subsequent to parturition, six rats were randomly chosen from each group. Mean volume of kidneys and renal cortices, the total number of glomeruli and basic histological structure of kidney were evaluated by stereological and light microscopical methods, respectively. RESULTS: Stereological results determined the mean volume of the kidneys and cortices were significantly increased in EMF-exposed groups compared to the Cont group. However, EMF-unexposed groups were not significantly modified compared to the Cont group. Additionally, the total number of glomeruli was significantly higher in EMF-unexposed groups compared to the Cont group. Alternatively, the number of glomeruli in EMF-exposed groups was decreased compared to the Cont group. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal exposure of rat kidneys to 900 MHz EMF resulted in increased total kidney volume and decreased the numbers of glomeruli. Moreover, MEL and ω-3 prevented adverse effects of EMF on the kidneys.

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 directionharm
PopulationWistar albino rats (male offspring assessed at 4 weeks old)
Sample size21
ExposureRF · 900 MHz · Prenatal exposure; outcomes assessed at 4 weeks after parturition
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Prenatal 900 MHz EMF exposure was associated with significantly increased mean kidney and renal cortex volumes and decreased numbers of glomeruli in 4-week-old male rats compared with controls. Melatonin and omega-3 co-treatment groups were reported to prevent adverse EMF-related kidney effects.

Outcomes measured

  • Kidney volume
  • Renal cortex volume
  • Total number of glomeruli
  • Kidney histological structure (light microscopy)
  • Protective effects of melatonin
  • Protective effects of omega-3

Limitations

  • No SAR or exposure intensity details reported in abstract
  • Small total sample size (21 rats) with multiple groups
  • Only male offspring assessed at a single postnatal time point (4 weeks)
  • Abstract does not report quantitative effect sizes or variability measures
  • Potential ambiguity in group sizes/selection (e.g., 'six rats were randomly chosen from each group' despite total n=21)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Prenatal exposure; outcomes assessed at 4 weeks after parturition"
  },
  "population": "Wistar albino rats (male offspring assessed at 4 weeks old)",
  "sample_size": 21,
  "outcomes": [
    "Kidney volume",
    "Renal cortex volume",
    "Total number of glomeruli",
    "Kidney histological structure (light microscopy)",
    "Protective effects of melatonin",
    "Protective effects of omega-3"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Prenatal 900 MHz EMF exposure was associated with significantly increased mean kidney and renal cortex volumes and decreased numbers of glomeruli in 4-week-old male rats compared with controls. Melatonin and omega-3 co-treatment groups were reported to prevent adverse EMF-related kidney effects.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "No SAR or exposure intensity details reported in abstract",
    "Small total sample size (21 rats) with multiple groups",
    "Only male offspring assessed at a single postnatal time point (4 weeks)",
    "Abstract does not report quantitative effect sizes or variability measures",
    "Potential ambiguity in group sizes/selection (e.g., 'six rats were randomly chosen from each group' despite total n=21)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "prenatal exposure",
    "900 MHz",
    "RF-EMF",
    "rat",
    "kidney",
    "glomeruli",
    "stereology",
    "histology",
    "melatonin",
    "omega-3"
  ],
  "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: 10.3109/09553002.2014.950436
PubMed: 25084839

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