The effects of microwave frequency electromagnetic fields on the development ofDrosophila melanogaster

Abstract

10 GHz EMF can cause developmental delay and decrease the number of offspring in D. melanogaster.

Effects of microwaves on the puffing pattern of D. melanogaster

“…Showing an increase in fertility [15] is in some contradiction to the data presented in [9][10][11][12][13][14]. In our opinion, the experimental conditions in this work [15] were different from those in [9][10][11][12][13][14]. Specifically, it is feasible that the microwave-exposed larvae of Drosophila were exposed to microwaves in cultural medium with high water content that led to intensive absorption of microwave energy by the media.…”

“…Exposure to microwaves (1.900 MHz; SAR -1.4 W/kg) of Drosophila melanogaster, during the 10-day developmental period (60 min at 11 AM and 60 min at 4 PM daily) from egg laying through pupation increased numbers of offspring, elevated hsp70 levels, increased serum response element (SRE) DNA-binding and induced the phosphorylation of the nuclear transcription factor, ELK-1 as demonstrated Weisbrot et al [15]. Showing an increase in fertility [15] is in some contradiction to the data presented in [9][10][11][12][13][14]. In our opinion, the experimental conditions in this work [15] were different from those in [9][10][11][12][13][14].…”

“…No differences were found in viability at larva-pupa and pupa-imago stages, however, it was found that the mean pupation time was delayed linearly with increasing exposure time to electromagnetic field with frequency 10 GHz. In the exposed group (3 h exposure + 30 min interval + 3 h exposure) the mean offspring number was significantly less than that of the control [9]. The same 10 GHz EMF exposure (with SAR approximately 9.8 mW/kg) decreases fertility of Drosophila melanogaster causing the decrease in the egg production [10].…”

“…It should be noted, however, that the parameters of the latter experiments raised some concerns because a microwave oven has been used as a source of electromagnetic radiation. Effects of microwaves on Drosophila fertility has been demonstrated by Atli &Unlü [9,10]. The maximum decrease in fertility of Drosophila under microwave irradiation was observed by Zalyubovskaya [11] when the flies were irradiated by microwaves with a wavelength of about 7 mm, and the irradiation with 5,5 and 8 mm waves was less effective.…”

“…In the exposed group (3 h exposure + 30 min interval + 3 h exposure) the mean offspring number was significantly less than that of the control [9]. The same 10 GHz EMF exposure (with SAR approximately 9.8 mW/kg) decreases fertility of Drosophila melanogaster causing the decrease in the egg production [10]. Exposure of the flies to the carrier frequency 900 MHz "modulated" by human voice, (speaking emission), for 6 min per day during the first 2-5 days of their adult lives, decreased the reproductive capacity of Drosophila melanogaster by 50-60%, whereas the corresponding "non-modulated" field decreased the reproductive capacity by 15-20% as shown by Panagopoulos et al [12].…”