Abstract
The objective of the study was to explore the effects of behavioral and cognitive development in rats after prenatal exposure to 1800 and 2400 MHz radiofrequency fields. Pregnant female rats were exposed to radiofrequency fields beginning on the 21st day of pregnancy. The indicators of physiological and behavioral development were observed and measured in the offspring rats: Y maze measured at 3-weeks postnatal, open field at 7-weeks postnatal, and the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) measured by reverse transcription-PCR in the hippocampus at 9-weeks postnatal. The body weight of the 1800 MHz group and the 1800 MHz + WiFi group showed a downward trend. The eye opening time of newborn rats was much earlier in the WiFi group than in the control group. Compared to the control group, the overall path length of the 1800 MHz + WiFi group was shortened and the stationary time was delayed. The path length of the WiFi group was shortened and the average velocity was increased in the error arm. The 1800 MHz + WiFi group displayed an increased trend in path length, duration, entry times and stationary time in the central area. In both the 1800 MHz + WiFi and WiFi groups, NR2A and NR2B expression was down-regulated, while NR2D, NR3A and NR3B were up-regulated. Moreover, NR1 and NR2C in the WiFi group were also up-regulated. Prenatal exposure to 1800 MHz and WiFi radiofrequency may affect the behavioral and cognitive development of offspring rats, which may be associated with altered mRNA expression of NMDARs in the hippocampus.
Highlights
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) of all frequencies are among the fastest growing public nuisances
Physiological development The body weights and tail length of the 1800 MHz exposure group and the 1800 MHz + WiFi exposure group were smaller than the control group (P < 0.05)
Compared to control groups,the path length of the WiFi exposure group was shortened and the average velocity was increased in the error arm (P < 0.05)
Summary
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) of all frequencies are among the fastest growing public nuisances. With the advancement of technology, all populations are exposed to varying degrees of EMF and electromagnetic radiation levels continue to rise. The main wavebands adopted in mobile phones and Wi-Fi networks are in the high frequency (HF) range of the electromagnetic spectrum (several GHz). The frequency range of HF is from 100 KHz to 300 GHz [3], which is included in the frequency range of the RF (in the range between 100 kHz to 300 GHz) [4]. The specific frequency band used differs among countries and technologies (GSM, UMTS, 4G, 5G etc.) [5]. GSM 1800 MHz is selected as the mobile phone signal frequency, while the Wi-Fi signal frequency is 2400 MHz, both within the HF range
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
