Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2006 Nov;49(11):2283-2290.

The assessment of spatial recognition memory on mice after prenatal exposure to mobile phone wave (1.765 GHz microwave) in utero

• Hwang JY
• Lee HJ
• Hwang HY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To assess the spatial recognition memory on mice after prenatal exposure to 1.765 GHz microwave in utero.
METHODS
We used self-made microwave generator with 1.765GHz radiofrequency. We designed the experimental copper box to prevent microwave from outside. The monopole antenna of microwave generator was located in the center of box for radiated equally to all of mice. The ten pregnant mice were divided to two groups, group exposed microwave and sham group. At 5th days of mating, dam mice exposed microwave grew in the isolated cage preventing microwave for 8hrs in the every day. Other mice brought up in same methods. Both groups grew in the same good condition during experimental period. They were deprived any water and food from 9 AM to 5 PM, but given adequate water and food from 5 PM to 9 AM in every day. To know whether there is thermal effect of microwave or not, body temperature was measured by rectum. Pregnant period, birth weight and gross anomaly of offspring identified. At 4th weeks after delivery, spatial recognition memory in each 11 offspring in both groups was assessed by Y-maze method. We investigated the body weight at birth, body weight change during 4 weeks after birth, the alteration ratio of Y-maze. Student t-test was used for statistical analysis with SPSS 11.0. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
At 21st day after mating, 61 offspring were delivered from 5 exposed dams and 47 offspring were delivered from 4 non-exposed dams. All of offspring didn't die immediately after delivery and didn't have gross anomaly at 3rd days in two groups. The change of body temperature and the mean birth weight on both group wasn't different statistically significantly (-0.35+/-0.47 degrees C Vs 0.20+/-0.42 degrees C, p=0.07), (1.53+/-0.13 gm Vs 1.54+/-0.16 gm, p=0.56). The alteration ratio of Y-maze on study group was inferior to sham group. But there was no statically significant difference (59.85+/-6.58 % Vs 63.58+/-7.73 %, p=0.23).
CONCLUSION
These data suggest that the spatial recognition memory on mice after prenatal exposure to 1.765 GHz microwave is not different from the sham group.

Keyword

Mobile phone wave; Pregnancy; Spatial recognition; Prenatal exposure

MeSH Terms

Animals
Birth Weight
Body Temperature
Body Weight
Body Weight Changes
Cellular Phone*
Copper
Humans
Memory*
Mice*
Microwaves
Parturition
Pregnancy
Rectum
Water
Copper
Water