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The effect of repeated microwave exposure on neonatal rats
Author(s) -
Guillet Ronnie,
Michaelson Sol M.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/rs012i06sp00125
Subject(s) - corticosterone , endocrinology , medicine , basal (medicine) , adrenal gland , hormone , chemistry , insulin
Thirty‐six neonatal rats were exposed daily at a power density of zero or 40 mW/cm 2 to 2450‐MHz CW radiation for five minutes from day one through day six of postpartum life. On day seven, control and experimental rats either were euthanized, were exposed to sham or microwave radiation for a seventh time, or were injected with ACTH. The two treated groups of pups were euthanized 20 minutes after the final exposure or injection. Trunk blood and adrenal glands were saved. No difference was found in concentration of plasma corticosterone between exposed rats and controls. Basal plasma concentration of corticosterone was less than 2 μg% in both groups. Following either microwave exposure or injection of ACTH on day seven, levels of plasma corticosterone remained low (< 3 μg%) both in radiated and in control animals but were significantly higher in the former (2.08 μg% ±0.85 SD) as compared with the latter (0.72 μg% ±0.60 SD). A statistically significant increase in the wet mass of adrenal glands was noted in animals that were exposed to microwaves during the first six postnatal days. The cause and the biological significance of this enlargement are unknown. Because the first two to three weeks of postnatal life are critical in the development of the rat, the effects of exposure to microwave radiation during this period may be readily manifested at this time or at a later stage in life.