The prenatal effects of mobile microwave radiation on mice

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the histopathological and ultrastructural prenatal effects of mobile phone microwave radiation on mice liver. Materials and methods Pregnant mice were divided into three groups of 10 animals each. Group one (G1) was the control group with mice unexposed to mobile phone. Group two (G2) mice were exposed for half-hour every day during the gestational period with the cell phone in answering state. Group three (G3) mice were exposed during the gestational period for 1 h every day with the cell phone in answering state and for 12 h while the cell phone was in standby state. The microwave radiation produced by mobile phones operated at a microwave frequency range of 900–1800 MHz. Mice fetuses were examined and then killed with an overdose of ether. Liver biopsies were prepared for histopathological and ultrastructural examinations. Results The mean body weight and length of fetuses of G3 showed a statistically significant decrease compared with G1 (P<0.05). Congestion of the central vein and dilation of hepatic blood sinusoids were the most frequent histopathological findings. The ultrastructural results were apparent in G3 in the form of dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, loss of mitochondrial cristae and pleomorphic mitochondria, mitochondrial swelling and fragmentation, hepatocytic vaculations, nuclear inclusions, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the periportal areas, of mainly lymphocytes. The results of this study showed a significant reduction in the average body weight and length of fetuses of G2 and G3. Conclusion The ultrastructural damage observed in the examined specimens shows the hepatocellular injuries and consequent systemic impairment of body functions.