Sex-dependent impact of perinatal 5G electromagnetic field exposure in the adolescent rat behavior.

Environmental science and pollution research international · 2023 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5768

Male and female pups in the EMF-exposed group had delayed incisor eruption compared with sham (+1 day). In the open field at PND 43, adolescent females showed less stereotyped movements (-70%) while adolescent males showed more stereotyped movements (+50%) ve…

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental science and pollution research international · 2023

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The fifth generation (5G) network is currently being worldwide spread out, raising questions about the potential impact of this new technology, particularly on immature organisms. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of daily 5G electromagnetic field (EMF) perinatal exposure on the neurodevelopment of rats. The exposure level was set to the limit of whole-body public exposure defined by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. The mother rat specific absorption rate (SAR) was 0.07 W/kg for 22 h/day at 3500 MHz continuous wave from gestational day (GD) 8 to post-natal day (PND) 21. Clinical observations were performed on weight, length, sex ratio, number of pups per litter, and number of stillborn in sham and EMF-exposed groups (n = 7). The age of pinna ear detachment, incisor eruption, and eye opening were recorded. Behavior was assessed on righting, gripping, and negative geotaxis reflexes at PND 3 or 7 and on stereotyped and horizontal movements in the open field at PND 43. Our results indicated that both male and female pups showed delayed incisor eruption in the EMF-exposed group compared to the sham group (+ 1 day). Regarding activity in the open field, adolescent females showed less stereotyped movements (- 70%), while adolescent males showed more stereotyped movements (+ 50%) compared to the sham-exposed adolescent rats. Thus, the present study suggested that perinatal exposure to 5G at SAR level below reglementary threshold led to perturbations in the descendants seen in juveniles and adolescents.

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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 directionmixed

PopulationPerinatally exposed rat pups (male and female); mother rats exposed during gestation and lactation

Sample size7

ExposureRF · 3500 MHz · 0.07 W/kg · 22 h/day from gestational day 8 to post-natal day 21

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Body weight
Body length
Sex ratio
Number of pups per litter
Number of stillborn
Age of pinna ear detachment
Age of incisor eruption
Age of eye opening
Righting reflex (PND 3 or 7)
Gripping reflex (PND 3 or 7)
Negative geotaxis reflex (PND 3 or 7)
Open field stereotyped movements (PND 43)
Open field horizontal movements (PND 43)

Limitations

Sample size reported as n=7 (group definition not further specified in abstract)
Exposure was continuous wave at a single frequency (3500 MHz) and a single SAR level (0.07 W/kg)
Findings include sex-dependent behavioral changes with opposite directions, complicating interpretation

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "5G",
    "frequency_mhz": 3500,
    "sar_wkg": 0.07,
    "duration": "22 h/day from gestational day 8 to post-natal day 21"
  },
  "population": "Perinatally exposed rat pups (male and female); mother rats exposed during gestation and lactation",
  "sample_size": 7,
  "outcomes": [
    "Body weight",
    "Body length",
    "Sex ratio",
    "Number of pups per litter",
    "Number of stillborn",
    "Age of pinna ear detachment",
    "Age of incisor eruption",
    "Age of eye opening",
    "Righting reflex (PND 3 or 7)",
    "Gripping reflex (PND 3 or 7)",
    "Negative geotaxis reflex (PND 3 or 7)",
    "Open field stereotyped movements (PND 43)",
    "Open field horizontal movements (PND 43)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Male and female pups in the EMF-exposed group had delayed incisor eruption compared with sham (+1 day). In the open field at PND 43, adolescent females showed less stereotyped movements (-70%) while adolescent males showed more stereotyped movements (+50%) versus sham.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size reported as n=7 (group definition not further specified in abstract)",
    "Exposure was continuous wave at a single frequency (3500 MHz) and a single SAR level (0.07 W/kg)",
    "Findings include sex-dependent behavioral changes with opposite directions, complicating interpretation"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "5G",
    "electromagnetic field",
    "RF",
    "perinatal exposure",
    "SAR",
    "ICNIRP",
    "rat",
    "neurodevelopment",
    "open field",
    "sex-dependent effects",
    "stereotyped movements",
    "incisor eruption"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.72,
      "reason": "Exposure level referenced as the ICNIRP whole-body public exposure limit."
    },
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Study evaluates biological effects of 5G-relevant RF exposure (3500 MHz) at regulatory-limit SAR."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1007/s11356-023-30256-7
PubMed: 37851267

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