Postnatal Functional Analysis of Prenatal Exposure of Rats to 915 MHz Microwave Radiation

Thirty pregnant Wistar strain albino rats were used to determine the effects of chronic prenatal exposure to 915 MHz microwave radiation at a continuous wave power density level of 10 mW/cm2 on postnatal growth and neurobehavioral development. Eleven rats were irradiated in a fully characterized anechoic chamber from days 1 to 21 of gestation. Mean total exposure time was 6544 min. Nineteen rats were used as control animals. All animals delivered and raised their offspring (F1a) until weaning at 30 days of age Ten days later females were rebred and a standard teratologic evaluation was completed on the resultant F1b fetuses. Maternal brain, liver, kidneys, and ovaries were removed, weighed, examined, and fixed in formalin. The F1a (irradiated) neonates were given four perinatal reflex tests (surface righting, air righting, auditory startle, visual placing). One physiological parameter, eye opening, was also observed. Weekly weights were recorded throughout the study period. At 60 days of age the offspring were randomly given 3 of 6 tests (conditioned avoidance response, water T-maze, open field, activity wheel, forelimb hanging, swimming). At 90 days of age reproductive capability was evaluated and a standard teratologic analysis performed on the resultant F2 offspring. The brain, liver, kidneys, and gonads of all F1a offspring were removed, weighed, examined, and fixed in formalin. No significant morphologic or neurobehavioral alterations were observed due to chronic prenatal exposure to 915 MHz microwave radiation at a continuous wave power density level of 10 mW/cm2.