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Effects of fetal microwave radiation exposure on offspring behavior in mice.

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Zhang Y, Li Z, Gao Y, Zhang C. · 2014

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Prenatal microwave exposure caused lasting anxiety and learning problems in male mice, suggesting developing brains are vulnerable to EMF.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to 9.417-GHz microwave radiation throughout most of their pregnancy and then tested the behavior of their offspring. They found that exposed mice showed increased anxiety-like behaviors and that male offspring specifically had impaired learning and memory, while female offspring were unaffected. This study provides the first evidence that prenatal microwave exposure can cause gender-specific brain effects that persist after birth.

Why This Matters

This research breaks important new ground by demonstrating that microwave radiation exposure during pregnancy can cause lasting behavioral changes in offspring, with males being more vulnerable than females. The 9.417-GHz frequency used falls within the range of many wireless communication devices, making these findings particularly relevant to our increasingly connected world. What makes this study especially concerning is that the effects persisted long after birth, suggesting that the developing brain may be permanently altered by prenatal EMF exposure. The gender-dependent nature of these effects also raises questions about whether current safety standards adequately protect the most vulnerable populations. While this is animal research, it adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that the developing nervous system is particularly sensitive to EMF exposure.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 9.417-GHz

Study Details

we investigated whether in utero exposure to 9.417-GHz microwave throughout gestation (Days 3.5-18) affected behavior

Using the open field test (OFT), elevated-plus maze (EPM), tail suspension test (TST), forced swimmi...

We found that mice showed less movement in the center of an open field (using the OFT) and in an ope...

In summary, we have provided the first experimental evidence of microwaves inducing gender-dependent effects.

Cite This Study
Zhang Y, Li Z, Gao Y, Zhang C. (2014). Effects of fetal microwave radiation exposure on offspring behavior in mice. J Radiat Res. 2014 Oct 30. pii: rru097.
Show BibTeX
@article{y_2014_effects_of_fetal_microwave_2705,
  author = {Zhang Y and Li Z and Gao Y and Zhang C.},
  title = {Effects of fetal microwave radiation exposure on offspring behavior in mice.},
  year = {2014},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25359903/},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to 9.417-GHz microwave radiation throughout most of their pregnancy and then tested the behavior of their offspring. They found that exposed mice showed increased anxiety-like behaviors and that male offspring specifically had impaired learning and memory, while female offspring were unaffected. This study provides the first evidence that prenatal microwave exposure can cause gender-specific brain effects that persist after birth.