In utero and early‐life exposure of rats to a Wi‐Fi signal: Screening of immune markers in sera and gestational outcome

Abstract

An experimental approach was used to assess immunological biomarkers in the sera of young rats exposed in utero and postnatal to non-ionizing radiofrequency fields. Pregnant rats were exposed free-running, 2 h/day and 5 days/week to a 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi signal in a reverberation chamber at whole-body specific absorption rates (SAR) of 0, 0.08, 0.4, and 4 W/kg (with 10, 10, 12, and 9 rats, respectively), while cage control rats were kept in the animal facility (11 rats). Dams were exposed from days 6 to 21 of gestation and then three newborns per litter were further exposed from birth to day 35 postnatal. On day 35 after birth, all pups were sacrificed and sera collected. The screening of sera for antibodies directed against 15 different antigens related to damage and/or pathological markers was conducted using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). No change in humoral response of young pups was observed, regardless of the types of biomarker and SAR levels. This study also provided some data on gestational outcome following in utero exposure to Wi-Fi signals. Mass evaluation of dams and pups and the number of pups per litter was monitored, and the genital tracts of young rats were observed for abnormalities by measuring anogenital distance. Under these experimental conditions, our observations suggest a lack of adverse effects of Wi-Fi exposure on delivery and general condition of the animals.

Role of Mitochondria in the Oxidative Stress Induced by Electromagnetic Fields: Focus on Reproductive Systems

“…The F1 generated from these females showed survival rates, development, growth, physical and functional development, hormonal status, memory function, and reproductive ability similar to sham control, and no teratogenic effects were observed in the generation of F2 [ 115 – 117 ]. Neither the exposure to the very high level of 4 W/kg was demonstrated to have deleterious effects on newborn developmental potential [ 117 , 179 ]. By contrast, Sangun et al [ 180 ] reported a reduction in postnatal growth and delay in puberty onset in female Wistar rats exposed to 900 MHz during foetal life.…”

Ecological study on the penetration of induction heating cookers and birth outcomes in Japan

“…Newborn animals were exposed for 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 5 weeks at a whole body SAR of 0.08 or 4 W/kg. Aït-Aïssa et al (2012) reported that prenatal and postnatal exposure of free-running rats had no significant effects on immunological markers or on growth. Animals were exposed using a reverberatory chamber to a 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi signal for 2 h/day, 5 days/week from day 6 to 21 of gestation, and then from birth to postnatal day 35 at a whole-body SAR of up to 4 W/kg for pregnant animals, and up to 9 W/kg for offspring.…”

Wi-Fi technology and human health impact: a brief review of current knowledge

“…In their systematic review of biological effects of Wi-Fi exposure that included scientific literature published by March 2013, Foster and Moulder ( 5 ) identified only seven peer-reviewed articles with well-defined exposure systems and dosimetry ( 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ) and six non-peer-reviewed articles lacking these data ( 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 ). The authors found no statistically significant response to Wi-Fi for any of the endpoints studied in the first seven studies, namely fertility and development (including the immune system and the brain) and stress markers in an animal model, whereas the other six, non-peer-reviewed studies reported EEG changes in humans, sperm changes and oxidative stress in rat testes, and altered gene expression, but these findings, warned the authors, should be taken with reserve, as they lack in scientific rigour (unblinded or no sham-exposed control in addition to technical deficiencies mentioned above).…”