Teratologic Studies of Prenatal Exposure of Rats to 915-MHz Microwave Radiation

Abstract

Thirty-nine pregnant Wistar strain albino rats were used to determine possible teratogenic activity due to chronic exposure with microwave radiation at a field intensity of a 10 mW/ cm2 at a frequency of 915-MHz microwave radiation. Ten rats were irradiated in a fully characterized anechoic chamber from Days 1 to 21 of gestation. The results of preliminary studies using 20 pregnant rats indicated that this power density was the maximal level which did not cause increased rectal temperature. Twenty-nine pregnant females were used as control animals. On the 22nd day of gestation animals were killed and maternal brain, liver, kidneys, and ovaries were removed, examined, weighed, and fixed in buffered formalin. Fetuses and placentae were removed, examined, weighed, and fixed in Bouin's fixative. All fetuses were examined for malformations using a cross-section dissection methodology. No significant alterations were observed for the following parameters: maternal body weight and weight gain, term maternal orga...