Postnatal development & behavior effects of in-utero exposure of rats to RF emitted from WiFi devices

Authors: Othman H, Ammari M, Rtibi K, Bensaid N, Sakly M, Abdelmelek H

Year: 2017 Apr 22

Category: Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology

Journal: Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology

Institution: Environ Toxicol Pharmacol

DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2017.04.016

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28458069

Abstract

Overview

This study explores the impact of gestational exposure to radiofrequency waves from WiFi devices on the neurodevelopment and behavior of rat offspring.

Findings

  • Exposure conditions consisted of a 2.45 GHz WiFi signal directed at pregnant Wistar albino rats for two hours daily throughout their gestation.
  • Rats exposed in utero displayed impaired neurodevelopment by the first seventeen postnatal days; however, emotional and motor behaviors in adulthood were not significantly affected.
  • Significant findings include an imbalance in cerebral oxidative stress levels observed through altered levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and varying activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes in young offspring (28 days old).
  • Cholinesterase activity was affected in both the brain and serum of exposed offspring at early life stages.

Conclusion

The results suggest that prenatal exposure to WiFi can lead to adverse neurological effects in offspring by disrupting neurodevelopment and oxidative stress balance. This highlights potential long-term health risks associated with gestational exposure to electromagnetic fields.

WiFi exposure neurodevelopment oxidative stress prenatal exposure rat offspring electromagnetic fields health risk
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