ID Number		1904
Study Type		In Vivo
Model		2 GHz (UMTS) exposure to mice (C57BL6) and analysis of reproduction and development
Details		C57BL mice (4 generations) were exposed continuously to 1966 MHz (UMTS) at 0. 0.08, 0.4. or 1.3 W/kg in cages within the radial waveguide system reported in prior studies. The authors evaluated fertility, development, survival, model-specific molecular markers, histological analysis of the thymus, spleen, bone marrow, lymph nodes, liver and tumour tissues. The authors report no effects on development or fertility based upon histological, physiological, reproductive and behavioural studies. The mothers were assessed for uterus weight, number of corpora lutea, number of resorptions, number of fetuses, weight of fetuses, and number of malformed fetuses. The pups in both the first and second litters were assessed for number of pups, weight of pups, percentage of pups surviving until 21 days post partum, age when the pups opened their eyes, and performance of the pups in a righting reflex test. The authors report no effects on any of the above parameters, but did report a small effect of 0.4 W/kg exposure on food consumption, although no dose response at higher exposure levels. Overall they conclude no adverse effects over the 4 generations. AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT: Lerchl 2011 (IEEE #6067): Despite the fact that no plausible biological mechanism has yet been identified how electromagnetic fields below recommended exposure limits could negatively affect health of animals or humans, many experiments have been performed in various animal species, mainly mice and rats, to investigate the possible effects on growth and development. While older studies often suffered from sub-optimal exposure conditions, recent investigations, using sophisticated exposure devices and thus preventing thermal effects, have been performed without these limitations. In principle, two types of studies can be addressed: those which have investigated the carcinogenic or co-carcinogenic effects of exposure in developing animals, and those which have been done in developing animals without the focus on carcinogenic or co-carcinogenic effects. In both areas, the vast majority of publications did not show adverse effects. The largest study so far has been done in normal mice which have been chronically exposed to UMTS signals up to 1.3 W/kg SAR, thus 16 times higher than the whole-body exposure limit for humans. Even after four generations, no systematic or dose-dependent alterations in development or fertility could be found, supporting the view that negative effects on humans are very unlikely. Ongoing experiments in our laboratory investigate the effects of head-only exposure in rats (up to 10 W/kg local SAR) which are exposed from 14 days of age daily for 2 h. A battery of behavioral tests is performed in young, adult, and pre-senile animals. The results will help to clarify possible effects of exposure on brain development.
Findings		No Effects
Status		Completed With Publication
Principal Investigator		International University Bremen, Germany - a.lerchl@iu-bremen.de
Funding Agency		FGF, Germany, BfS, Germany, DMF, Germany
Country		GERMANY
References		Sommer, AM et al. Radiation Research, (2009) 171:89-95 Lerchl, A Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology. , (2011) 107:404-407 Lerchl, A Asian journal of andrology., (2013) 15:201-201
Comments