Effects of 2.45 GHz CW microwave radiation on embryofetal development in mice.

Teratology · 1981 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6003

Study snapshot

PublicationTeratology · 1981

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The embryofetal toxicity and teratogenicity of plane-wave 2.45 GHz continuous wave (CW) microwave radiation at different intensities were investigated in the CD-1 mouse. Mice were exposed on days 1-15 of gestation to an incident power density of 5 mW/cm2 (specific absorption rate of 6.7 mW/gm) and either on days 1-6 or 6-15 of gestation to 21 mW/cm2 (specific absorption rate of 28.14 mW/gm) or to 30 mW/cm2 (specific absorption rate of 40.2 mW/gm) for 8 hours daily. Exposure either on days 1-6 or 6-15 of gestation to a power density of 21 or 30 mW/cm2 caused an increase in colonic temperature of exposed dams of 1 degree C and 2.3 degrees C, respectively. To distinguish between "thermal" and "nonthermal" effects of 21 or 30 mW/cm2, groups of mice were also exposed to elevated ambient temperature to raise their body temperature to the level of those animals exposed to microwave. Ambient temperatures of 30 degrees C and 31 degrees C increased the deep colonic temperature to that obtained with the 21 and 30 mW/cm2 microwave exposure, respectively. The temperature-exposed mice were handled in exactly the same manner as the microwave-exposed mice. A significant reduction in maternal weight gain, either during treatment on days 1-6 or 6-15 of gestation was observed in females of all handled groups. Handling plus exposure to elevated ambient temperature (30 degrees C or 31 degrees C) during days 6-15 of gestation increased this reduction in maternal weight gain. A significant decrease in implantation sites per litter and reduction in fetal weight was noted in the group exposed to 30 mW/cm2 during days 1-6 of gestation. Exposure of mice to a power density of 30 mW/cm2 (days 6-15 of gestation) resulted in a slight, but significant increase in the percentage of malformed fetuses, predominantly with cleft palate, when compared to all other groups.

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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 directionharm

PopulationPregnant CD-1 mice (gestation)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave · 2450 MHz · 8 hours daily; exposures on gestation days 1–15 (5 mW/cm2), days 1–6 or 6–15 (21 or 30 mW/cm2)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure to 30 mW/cm2 on gestation days 1–6 was associated with fewer implantation sites per litter and reduced fetal weight. Exposure to 30 mW/cm2 on gestation days 6–15 produced a slight but statistically significant increase in malformed fetuses (predominantly cleft palate) compared with other groups. Maternal colonic temperature increased by ~1°C at 21 mW/cm2 and ~2.3°C at 30 mW/cm2; temperature-matched ambient heat groups were included to help distinguish thermal from nonthermal effects.

Outcomes measured

Embryofetal toxicity
Teratogenicity/malformations (including cleft palate)
Maternal weight gain
Implantation sites per litter
Fetal weight
Maternal (colonic) temperature increase

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Randomization/blinding not described in abstract
Handling effects noted (maternal weight gain reduced in all handled groups), which may confound interpretation
Results for 5 mW/cm2 group not clearly summarized in abstract
Details of malformation assessment and statistical methods not provided in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "8 hours daily; exposures on gestation days 1–15 (5 mW/cm2), days 1–6 or 6–15 (21 or 30 mW/cm2)"
  },
  "population": "Pregnant CD-1 mice (gestation)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Embryofetal toxicity",
    "Teratogenicity/malformations (including cleft palate)",
    "Maternal weight gain",
    "Implantation sites per litter",
    "Fetal weight",
    "Maternal (colonic) temperature increase"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to 30 mW/cm2 on gestation days 1–6 was associated with fewer implantation sites per litter and reduced fetal weight. Exposure to 30 mW/cm2 on gestation days 6–15 produced a slight but statistically significant increase in malformed fetuses (predominantly cleft palate) compared with other groups. Maternal colonic temperature increased by ~1°C at 21 mW/cm2 and ~2.3°C at 30 mW/cm2; temperature-matched ambient heat groups were included to help distinguish thermal from nonthermal effects.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Randomization/blinding not described in abstract",
    "Handling effects noted (maternal weight gain reduced in all handled groups), which may confound interpretation",
    "Results for 5 mW/cm2 group not clearly summarized in abstract",
    "Details of malformation assessment and statistical methods not provided in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "2.45 GHz",
    "continuous wave",
    "microwave radiation",
    "plane-wave",
    "power density",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "mouse",
    "gestation",
    "embryofetal development",
    "teratogenicity",
    "cleft palate",
    "maternal temperature",
    "thermal effects"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.25,
      "reason": "Animal study of RF/microwave exposure with SAR/power density and thermal considerations, relevant to exposure guideline discussions."
    }
  ]
}

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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/tera.1420240309
PubMed: 7330780

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