RF Safe

Behavioral and autonomic thermoregulation in mice exposed to microwave radiation.

Journal of applied physiology: respiratory, environmental and exercise physiology · 1983 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream
MixedLow evidencePaper 5943

Mice selected an average ambient temperature of 31°C without microwave exposure, and preferred Ta did not change until SAR at 2,450 MHz exceeded ~7.0 W/kg. During exposure with a temperature gradient, mice selected cooler Ta and kept breathing rate near basel…

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of applied physiology: respiratory, environmental and exercise physiology · 1983
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Preferred ambient temperature (Ta) and breathing rate were measured in free-moving mice exposed to 2,450-MHz microwaves. A waveguide-exposure system was imposed with a longitudinal temperature gradient that permitted mice to select their preferred Ta. Breathing rate was determined by analyzing the rhythmic shifts in microwave energy not absorbed by the animal. Without microwave exposure mice selected an average Ta of 31 degrees C. This preferred Ta did not change until the specific absorption rate (SAR) at 2,450 MHz exceeded approximately 7.0 W X kg-1. Mice maintained their breathing rate near baseline levels by selecting a cooler Ta during microwave exposure. In contrast, mice maintained at 31 degrees C underwent a sharp increase in breathing rate when SAR exceeded approximately 7.0 W X kg-1. Mice exposed to microwaves in a waveguide with a temperature gradient increased breathing rate 0.6 breaths/min per unit increase in SAR, whereas without the temperature gradient breathing rate increased by 9.6 breaths/min per unit increase in SAR. Data from this study support previous studies that have shown behavioral thermoregulation is more effective (or efficient) in minimizing a thermal load than autonomic thermoregulation.

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
PopulationFree-moving mice
Sample sizeNot supplied
Exposuremicrowave · 2450 MHz · 7 W/kg
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Mice selected an average ambient temperature of 31°C without microwave exposure, and preferred Ta did not change until SAR at 2,450 MHz exceeded ~7.0 W/kg. During exposure with a temperature gradient, mice selected cooler Ta and kept breathing rate near baseline; when maintained at 31°C, breathing rate increased sharply when SAR exceeded ~7.0 W/kg. Breathing rate increased 0.6 breaths/min per unit SAR with a temperature gradient versus 9.6 breaths/min per unit SAR without the gradient.

Outcomes measured

  • preferred ambient temperature (Ta) selection
  • breathing rate
  • behavioral thermoregulation vs autonomic thermoregulation

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Exposure duration not reported in abstract
  • Outcomes limited to thermoregulatory behavior and breathing rate; no other health endpoints described
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": "waveguide exposure system",
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": 7,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Free-moving mice",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "preferred ambient temperature (Ta) selection",
    "breathing rate",
    "behavioral thermoregulation vs autonomic thermoregulation"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Mice selected an average ambient temperature of 31°C without microwave exposure, and preferred Ta did not change until SAR at 2,450 MHz exceeded ~7.0 W/kg. During exposure with a temperature gradient, mice selected cooler Ta and kept breathing rate near baseline; when maintained at 31°C, breathing rate increased sharply when SAR exceeded ~7.0 W/kg. Breathing rate increased 0.6 breaths/min per unit SAR with a temperature gradient versus 9.6 breaths/min per unit SAR without the gradient.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
    "Outcomes limited to thermoregulatory behavior and breathing rate; no other health endpoints described"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "mice",
    "microwave radiation",
    "2450 MHz",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "thermoregulation",
    "preferred ambient temperature",
    "breathing rate",
    "waveguide exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "thermal-effects",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study examines thermoregulation and breathing rate changes at high SAR during 2,450 MHz exposure."
    },
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.75,
      "reason": "Experimental exposure study in mice."
    }
  ]
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.1152/jappl.1983.55.4.1242
PubMed: 6629957

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library