The effects of long-term exposure to a 2450 MHz electromagnetic field on growth and pubertal development in female Wistar rats

• Published in: Electromagnetic biology and medicine 2015-03, Vol.34 (1), p.63-71
• Main Authors: Sangun, Ozlem, Dundar, Bumin, Darici, Hakan, Comlekci, Selcuk, Doguc, Duygu Kumbul, Celik, Suheyla
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2450 MHz; Animals; Electromagnetic Fields - adverse effects; Female; growth; Growth and Development - radiation effects; Hormones - blood; Oxidative Stress - radiation effects; puberty; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Time Factors; wireless; Wireless Technology
• ISSN: 1536-8378; 1536-8386
• DOI: 10.3109/15368378.2013.871619

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 2450 MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) (wireless internet frequency) on the growth and development of female Wistar rats. The study was conducted on three groups of rats. The prenatal and postnatal groups were exposed to EMF 1 h/day beginning from intrauterine and postnatal periods, respectively. The third group was the sham-exposed group. Growth, nutrition and vaginal opening (VO) were regularly monitored. Serum and tissue specimens were collected at puberty. Histological examinations, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) measurements in ovary and brain tissues and also immunohistochemical staining of the hypothalamus were performed besides the determination of serum FSH, LH, E2 and IGF-1 values. Birth masses of the groups were similar (p > 0.05). Mass gain per day was significantly lower and the puberty was significantly later in the prenatal group. Brain and ovary TOS and OSI values in the prenatal group were significantly increased (p  0.05). Histological examinations of the specimens revealed no statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Exposure to 2450 MHz EMF, particularly in the prenatal period, resulted in postnatal growth restriction and delayed puberty in female Wistar rats. Increased TOS and OSI values in the brain and ovary tissues can be interpreted as a sign of chronic stress induced by EMF. This is the first longitudinal study which investigates the effects of EMF induced by wireless internet on pubertal development beside growth.