Effect of 6 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field on the development of fetal bones

Authors: Karamazi Y, Emre M, Uçar S, Aksoy G, Emre T, Tokus M.

Year: 2024

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine

DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2024.2438608

URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15368378.2024.2438608

Abstract

Overview

This study examined the impact of 6 GHz (0.054 W/kg SAR) Radiofrequency-Electromagnetic Field (RF-EMF) on prenatal bone development. In this study, 20 female and 20 male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups:

  • Control group: No treatment
  • Group-I: Only male rats exposed to RF-EMF
  • Group-II: Both male and female rats exposed to RF-EMF
  • Group-III: Only female rats exposed to RF-EMF

Exposure lasted 4 hours per day for 6 weeks. The rats were allowed to mate within the group. After pregnancy, pregnant rats (Group-II and III) were exposed 4 hours per day for 18 days. On the 18th day of gestation, fetuses were removed, and their weights and various lengths were measured. Skeletal system development was examined using the double skeletal staining method and ossification in the extremities was assessed.

Findings

  • Fetal weights, head-tail length, occipital-frontal and parietal-parietal lengths significantly increased in all RF-EMF exposure groups compared to control (p < 0.001).
  • Although occipital-frontal length was smallest in Group-I, Group-II and Group-III were higher than the control group (p < 0.001).
  • Bones of the anterior and posterior extremities showed significant increases in length, ossification zone length, and ossification percentage compared to the control (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Rats exposed to 6 GHz (0.054 W/kg) RF-EMF during the prenatal period had significant increases in bone development. This study provides important insight into the biological impact of RF-EMF on developing fetal bone structures, highlighting a definite connection between EMF exposure and biological changes in prenatal development.

Plain-Language Summary

  • RF-EMF sources are widely used in daily life.
  • This study focused on 6 GHz RF-EMF and its effect on prenatal bone development in rats.
  • Skeletal system development in fetuses was examined with double skeletal staining, with ossification assessed using the ImageJ program.
RF-EMF 6 GHz prenatal development fetal bones ossification SAR rat study
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