Effects of gestational exposure to 1.95-GHz W-CDMA signals for IMT-2000 cellular phones: Lack of embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in rats.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2009 · No effect · Moderate evidence

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No effectModerate evidencePaper 4972

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2009

Study typeanimal

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

The present study was designed to evaluate whether gestational exposure to an EMF targeting the head region, similar to that from cellular phones, might affect embryogenesis in rats. A 1.95-GHz wide-band code division multiple access (W-CDMA) signal, which is one applied for the International Mobile Telecommunication 2000 (IMT-2000) system and used for the freedom of mobile multimedia access (FOMA), was employed for exposure to the heads of four groups of pregnant CD(SD) IGS rats (20 per group) for gestational days 7-17. The exposure was performed for 90 min/day in the morning. The spatial average specific absorption rate (SAR) for individual brains was designed to be 0.67 and 2.0 W/kg with peak brain SARs of 3.1 and 7.0 W/kg for low (group 3) and high (group 4) exposures, respectively, and a whole-body average SAR less than 0.4 W/kg so as not to cause thermal effects due to temperature elevation. Control and sham exposure groups were also included. At gestational day 20, all dams were killed and fetuses were taken out by cesarean section. There were no differences in maternal body weight gain. No adverse effects of EMF exposure were observed on any reproductive and embryotoxic parameters such as number of live (243-271 fetuses), dead or resorbed embryos, placental weights, sex ratios, weights or external, visceral or skeletal abnormalities of live fetuses.

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 CD(SD) IGS rats and fetuses

Sample size80

ExposureRF · 1950 MHz · 2 W/kg · Gestational days 7–17; 90 min/day

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Pregnant rats were exposed to 1.95-GHz W-CDMA signals to the head region during gestational days 7–17 at designed spatial-average brain SARs of 0.67 or 2.0 W/kg (peak brain SARs 3.1 or 7.0 W/kg). No adverse effects were observed on maternal weight gain or on reproductive/embryotoxic outcomes including fetal viability, placental weight, sex ratio, fetal weight, or external/visceral/skeletal abnormalities at gestational day 20.

Outcomes measured

Maternal body weight gain
Number of live fetuses
Dead or resorbed embryos
Placental weights
Sex ratios
Fetal weights
External abnormalities
Visceral abnormalities
Skeletal abnormalities

Limitations

Animal study; findings may not directly generalize to humans
Exposure limited to gestational days 7–17 and assessment at gestational day 20 only
Exposure targeted the head region; other exposure scenarios not evaluated

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 1950,
    "sar_wkg": 2,
    "duration": "Gestational days 7–17; 90 min/day"
  },
  "population": "Pregnant CD(SD) IGS rats and fetuses",
  "sample_size": 80,
  "outcomes": [
    "Maternal body weight gain",
    "Number of live fetuses",
    "Dead or resorbed embryos",
    "Placental weights",
    "Sex ratios",
    "Fetal weights",
    "External abnormalities",
    "Visceral abnormalities",
    "Skeletal abnormalities"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Pregnant rats were exposed to 1.95-GHz W-CDMA signals to the head region during gestational days 7–17 at designed spatial-average brain SARs of 0.67 or 2.0 W/kg (peak brain SARs 3.1 or 7.0 W/kg). No adverse effects were observed on maternal weight gain or on reproductive/embryotoxic outcomes including fetal viability, placental weight, sex ratio, fetal weight, or external/visceral/skeletal abnormalities at gestational day 20.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Animal study; findings may not directly generalize to humans",
    "Exposure limited to gestational days 7–17 and assessment at gestational day 20 only",
    "Exposure targeted the head region; other exposure scenarios not evaluated"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "gestational exposure",
    "1.95 GHz",
    "W-CDMA",
    "IMT-2000",
    "FOMA",
    "SAR",
    "rats",
    "embryotoxicity",
    "teratogenicity",
    "prenatal"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "rf-mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Uses a 1.95-GHz W-CDMA signal described as similar to cellular phone exposure."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1002/bem.20456
PubMed: 19194858

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