Biological Effects of Exposure to a Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field on the Placental Barrier in Pregnant Rats

Authors: Hye Sun Kim, Hyung-Do Choi, Jeong-Ki Pack, Nam Kim, Young Hwan Ahn

Year: 2021 Feb 1

Category: Bioelectromagnetics

Journal: Bioelectromagnetics

DOI: 10.1002/bem.22322

URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33527465/

Abstract

Overview

The study investigates the impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on the placental barrier in pregnant rats.

Methodology

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control, sham-exposed, and RF-EMF exposed.
Exposure involved RF-EMF signals at a specific absorption rate of 4 W/kg for 8 hours a day from gestation day 1 to 19.

Findings

Significant increases in maternal cortisol were observed in circulating blood and adrenal glands of the RF-EMF exposed group compared to the sham group.
Despite these increases, placental cortisol levels remained stable and no changes were seen in the expression levels of placental 11β-HSD2 mRNA in the RF-exposed group.
Morphological analysis and software measurements did not show significant changes in the placental barrier.

Conclusion

RF-EMF exposure during pregnancy leads to increased cortisol levels in maternal blood, highlighting a potential risk to the hormonal balance during pregnancy, although direct changes to the placental barrier were not observed in this study setting.

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