ID Number		64
Study Type		In Vivo
Model		383 MHz (PM-17 Hz, TETRA), 900, 1800 MHz (GSM) exposure to Djungarian hamsters and analysis of melatonin production and metabolic effects.
Details		Djungarian hamsters (n=120, 3 per cage in exposure system) were exposed to 383 MHz (TETRA), 900 MHz (GSM) or 1800 MHz (GSM) RF for 24 hrs/day for 60 days at 0.08 W/kg (whole body average) in a radial waveguide. Overall variations in dosimetry due to hamster movement within the cages were calculated to be less than 30%. No effect on melatonin concentrations in serum or in pineal glands was observed following exposure at 383, 900 or 1800 MHz. At 383 and 900 MHz, a statistically significant increase in body weight (4-6%) was observed, and was explained by the authors as having been due to a shift in energy utilization. Preliminary results suggested 900 and 1800 MHz exposure caused a slight but statistically significant increase in the ratio of 4C sperm cells to 2C sperm cells (indicating increased testicular tissue proliferation) but the results have not yet been validated. At 383 MHz a slight increase of C1-cells were seen. AUTHORS' ABSTRACT: Taberski, Lerchl et al. 2014 (IEEE #5787): Sixteen male Djungarian hamsters, serving as their own controls, were individually exposed to RF-EMF (900 MHz, GSM modulation) at 0 (sham), 0.08, 0.4 or 4 W/kg specific absorption rate (SAR) in specially constructed rectangular waveguides. Exposure duration was one week per condition, followed by one week without exposure. Once per day, the temperatures of the hamsters' back fur (a surrogate for skin temperature) and the cornea of the eye (a surrogate for body temperature), were measured by infrared thermography. Oxygen, carbon dioxide and humidity were measured continuously in the ambient and exhaled air. Food and water consumption, as well as body weight were recorded once per week. Only at the highest SAR level were the following effects observed: fur temperatures were elevated by approximately 0.5°C (P < 0.001), while the temperatures of the eyes' surface were not affected; food consumption was lowered (P < 0.05), while water consumption and body weight were not affected; the production of carbon dioxide was lowered during the day (P < 0.01) and unaffected during the night, while oxygen consumption levels remained unaffected and finally the respiratory quotient (carbon dioxide production divided by oxygen consumption) was lower during the day (P < 0.05) and also somewhat lower during the night (not significant). The results demonstrate the usefulness of our methods for experiments dealing with metabolic effects of RF-EMF exposure in rodents. They also confirm the assumption that even though the metabolism is reduced at high SAR levels, the body core temperature is being kept constant by the energy uptake from the RF-EMF exposure which is able to physiologically compensate for the reduced metabolism.
Findings		Effects
Status		Completed With Publication
Principal Investigator		International University Bremen, Germany - a.lerchl@iu-bremen.de
Funding Agency		FGF, Germany
Country		GERMANY
References		Lerchl, A et al. J Pineal Res, (2008) 44:267-272 Taberski, K et al. Radiation Research., (2014) 181:617-622
Comments		In a related FGF study, changes were reported in melatonin levels from serum or from isolated pinealocytes (Gollnick et al presentation at 21st Bioelectromagnetics Society Meeting). However, in contrast to the reports of Lerchl regarding testicular cell changes, studies by Lebovitz and Johnson (Bioelectromagnetics (1987) 8:37-43; J Appl Physiol (1987) 62:245-252; Anat Rec (1984) 209:501-507; Bioelectromagnetics (1983) 4:107-114) suggested that MW exposure did not affect testicular cells and function until thermal levels were reached. FGF database ID# J9, FGF contract# 5991