RF Safe

GSM 900 MHz cellular phone radiation can either stimulate or depress early embryogenesis in Japanese quails depending on the duration of exposure

Int J Radiat Biol · 2013 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 6727

GSM 900 MHz cellular phone radiation significantly altered embryonic development and DNA damage in a duration-dependent manner. After 38 h exposure, embryos had increased somite number (p<0.001) and decreased DNA strand breaks (p<0.001) versus control; after …

Study snapshot

PublicationInt J Radiat Biol · 2013
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Purpose: Our study was designed to assess the effects of low intensity radiation of a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) 900 MHz cellular phone on early embryogenesis in dependence on the duration of exposure. Materials and methods: Embryos of Japanese Quails were exposed in ovo to GSM 900 MHz cellular phone radiation during initial 38 h of brooding or alternatively during 158 h (120 h before brooding plus initial 38 h of brooding) discontinuously with 48 sec ON (average power density 0.25 μW/cm(2), specific absorption rate 3 μW/kg) followed by 12 sec OFF intervals. A number of differentiated somites were assessed microscopically. Possible DNA damage evoked by irradiation was assessed by an alkaline comet assay. Results: Exposure to radiation from a GSM 900 MHz cellular phone led to a significantly altered number of differentiated somites. In embryos irradiated during 38 h the number of differentiated somites increased (p < 0.001), while in embryos irradiated during 158 h this number decreased (p < 0.05). The lower duration of exposure led to a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in a level of DNA strand breaks in cells of 38-h embryos, while the higher duration of exposure resulted in a significant (p < 0.001) increase in DNA damage as compared to the control. Conclusion: Effects of GSM 900 MHz cellular phone radiation on early embryogenesis can be either stimulating or deleterious depending on the duration of exposure.

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
PopulationJapanese quail embryos (in ovo)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 3e-06 W/kg · Discontinuous exposure (48 sec ON / 12 sec OFF) during either 38 h of brooding, or 158 h total (120 h before brooding + initial 38 h of brooding)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

GSM 900 MHz cellular phone radiation significantly altered embryonic development and DNA damage in a duration-dependent manner. After 38 h exposure, embryos had increased somite number (p<0.001) and decreased DNA strand breaks (p<0.001) versus control; after 158 h exposure, embryos had decreased somite number (p<0.05) and increased DNA damage (p<0.001) versus control.

Outcomes measured

  • Number of differentiated somites (early embryogenesis)
  • DNA strand breaks / DNA damage (alkaline comet assay)

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
  • Exposure characterization limited to average power density and SAR as reported; other dosimetry details not provided in abstract
  • Only early embryogenesis endpoints reported (somites, comet assay)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": 3e-06,
    "duration": "Discontinuous exposure (48 sec ON / 12 sec OFF) during either 38 h of brooding, or 158 h total (120 h before brooding + initial 38 h of brooding)"
  },
  "population": "Japanese quail embryos (in ovo)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Number of differentiated somites (early embryogenesis)",
    "DNA strand breaks / DNA damage (alkaline comet assay)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "GSM 900 MHz cellular phone radiation significantly altered embryonic development and DNA damage in a duration-dependent manner. After 38 h exposure, embryos had increased somite number (p<0.001) and decreased DNA strand breaks (p<0.001) versus control; after 158 h exposure, embryos had decreased somite number (p<0.05) and increased DNA damage (p<0.001) versus control.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Exposure characterization limited to average power density and SAR as reported; other dosimetry details not provided in abstract",
    "Only early embryogenesis endpoints reported (somites, comet assay)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "GSM",
    "900 MHz",
    "cellular phone",
    "radiofrequency radiation",
    "Japanese quail",
    "embryogenesis",
    "somites",
    "DNA damage",
    "comet assay",
    "in ovo",
    "SAR",
    "power density"
  ],
  "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: 10.3109/09553002.2013.791408
PubMed: 23578013

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