Effects of Continuous Low-level Exposure to Radiofrequency Radiation on Intrauterine Development in Rats

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Abstract
To assess the effect of low-level radiofrequency radiation on pregnant rats, gravid dams were exposed continuously to 0.1 mW cm-2 at 27.12 MHz during different periods of pregnancy. Biological assays consisted of determining pre- and post-implantation losses and the effects on maternal body weight increase. Fetal parameters monitored included sex, mean viable fetal weight on Day 20 of gestation, external, skeletal and visceral fetal malformations, anomalies and variations. Dosimetric evaluations were made in terms of average specific absorption rate (SAR) and basal metabolic rate (BMR). Findings included a considerable increase in the percentage of total resorptions, reduced body weight increase in the exposed dams and incomplete cranial ossification in their fetuses. Results obtained were compared with those shown by other authors. It seems possible to ascribe some of the effects to a specific action of the radiofrequency radiation occurring independently of the rise in temperature. The hypothesis that the exposure time, together with SAR, plays an important role in inducing specific exposure effects due to radiofrequency radiation is presented.