Effects of non-ionizing electro-magnetic radiation on the development and intrauterine implantation of the rat. in Biologic effects of nonionizing radiation
Dietzel F. · 1975
1975 research found that 27.12 MHz short wave treatment killed rat embryos and caused malformations, and these effects occurred only when thermal effects occurred.
Plain English Summary
This 1975 study by Dietzel treated 749 pregnant rats carrying 7800 embryos once with a short wave field (27.12 MHz) and examined embryo development and implantation. Early intensive treatment, especially before blastocyst implantation, usually resulted in the death of the embryo, and the frequency of malformations depended on the day of pregnancy and on treatment intensity.
Why This Matters
This 1975 study from Dietzel examined non-ionizing short wave radiation at 27.12 MHz in pregnant rats, at a time when it was believed that the quantum energy of nonionizing radiation was much too small to cause any damage. The doses were measured thermally, and a significant rise in malformations and intrauterine deaths was only observed when thermal effects occurred.
The study documents effects on embryonic development, one of the most vulnerable stages of life. The author notes that the blastocyst prior to implantation and the amniotic sac in later pregnancy are not well perfused, so heat may accumulate even at low field intensities. The author states that it is not his opinion that athermic effects are significant for the embryo.
Figures from the Original Paper
Diagrams extracted from the original research document.
Show BibTeX
@article{effects_of_non_ionizing_electro_magnetic_radiation_on_the_development_and_intrau_g4685,
author = {Dietzel F.},
title = {Effects of non-ionizing electro-magnetic radiation on the development and intrauterine implantation of the rat. in Biologic effects of nonionizing radiation},
year = {1975},
}