Reproductive Health

A population-based prospective cohort study of personal exposure to magnetic fields during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage

Unknown authors · 2002

A nested case-control study of residential and personal magnetic field measures and miscarriages

Unknown authors · 2002

Researchers conducted a nested case-control study with 177 cases and 550 controls to assess the relation between retrospective magnetic field measures and clinical miscarriage among Kaiser Permanente members in northern California. They evaluated wire codes, area measures, and three personal meter metrics including rate-of-change, maximum level, and time-weighted average. For personal metrics at 30 weeks, adjusted odds ratios for the highest quartile were 3.1 for rate-of-change, 2.3 for maximum value, and 1.7 for time-weighted average. A prospective substudy of 219 participants found exposure measurements at 12 weeks were poorly correlated with those at 30 weeks, yet miscarriage risk results were consistent with the nested study.

Growth and maturation of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans following exposure to weak microwave fields.

de Pomerai DI, Dawe A, DjerbibL, Allan, Brunt G, Daniells C. · 2002

Researchers investigated growth rate and maturation proportion in C. elegans exposed to prolonged microwave fields at 25°C in synchronized cultures of wild-type larvae. Microwave exposure significantly increased growth rate by 8–11% and maturation proportion by 28–40%. Mild heat treatment at 28°C decreased growth rate by 10% and almost abolished maturation proportion, showing effects opposite to microwave exposure.

Development of preimplantation mouse embryos after exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field in vitro

Unknown authors · 2001

The study examined the effect of a sinusoidal 50 Hz magnetic field on preimplantation CBA/S mouse embryos in vitro. Embryos were exposed to a field of 10 A/m rms corresponding to 13 microT rms while cultured at 37°C in a CO2 incubator. Vitality and developmental stages were similar between groups, though slightly more dead embryos appeared on day 1 in the exposed group (P<0.05) and development was slightly impaired. The authors concluded that the exposure did not significantly disturb development up to the blastocyst stage.

Developmental toxicity interactions of methanol and radiofrequency radiation or 2-methoxyethanol in rats

Nelson BK, Snyder DL, Shaw PB · 2001

Researchers gave pregnant rats methanol at 0, 2, or 3 g/kg on gestation day 9 or 13, combined with RF radiation on day 9 or 2ME on day 13. On day 9, RF radiation or methanol increased fetal resorptions without interaction, and resorptions were highest when treatments were separated by 1.5 hours. The higher methanol dose also reduced fetal weights. On day 13, 2ME or methanol increased malformations with a positive interaction between them, while fetal weights were reduced by each agent alone without interaction.

2-Methoxyethanol metabolism, embryonic distribution, and macromolecular adduct formation in the rat: the effect of radiofrequency radiation-induced hyperthermia.

Cheever KL et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to 10 MHz radiofrequency radiation and measured metabolism and distribution of 2-methoxyethanol and its metabolite methoxyacetic acid. Radiofrequency exposure reduced total body clearance of radiolabeled 2-methoxyethanol but did not change methoxyacetic acid levels in serum, embryos, or extraembryonic fluid. Protein adduct formation in embryos did not differ in a way that would explain the reported synergy between radiofrequency radiation and 2-methoxyethanol.

Toxicologic study of electromagnetic radiation emitted by television and video display screens and cellular telephones on chickens and mice.

Bastide M, Youbibier-Simoa BJ, Lebecq JC, Giaimis J. · 2001

Researchers investigated continuous exposure of chick embryos and young chickens to EMFs from video display units and GSM cell phone radiation, including radiation attenuated by copper gauze. Permanent exposure to VDU EMFs was associated with significantly increased fetal loss (47-68%) and markedly depressed levels of circulating specific antibodies (lgG), corticosterone and melatonin. Under chronic exposure, GSM cell phone radiation was harmful to chick embryos, stressful for healthy mice, and synergistic with cancer by depleting stress hormones in mice. The same pathological results occurred after substantial reduction of microwaves by copper gauze attenuation.

Parental occupational exposures to electromagnetic fields and radiation and the incidence of neuroblastoma in offspring.

De Roos AJ et al. · 2001

Researchers examined parental occupational exposures to electromagnetic fields and radiation and the incidence of neuroblastoma in offspring. Cases were 538 children diagnosed with neuroblastoma between 1992 and 1994 in the United States or Canada, and age-matched controls were selected by random-digit dialing. Maternal exposure to a broad grouping of sources that produce radiofrequency radiation was associated with an increased incidence of neuroblastoma, with an odds ratio of 2.8 and a 95% confidence interval of 0.9 to 8.7. However, the broad groupings of sources that produce ELF fields, radiofrequency radiation, or ionizing radiation were not associated with neuroblastoma.

Evaluation of the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on mammalian follicle development

Unknown authors · 2000

Researchers cultured mouse pre-antral follicles for 5 days and exposed them to pulsed ELF-EMF at 33 Hz or 50 Hz. ELF-EMF did not affect follicular growth over 3 days, but on day 5 the 33 Hz exposure significantly reduced growth compared to controls, while 50 Hz did not. ELF-EMF severely impaired antrum formation at both frequencies, with control follicles forming antral cavities at 79% versus 30% at 33 Hz and 51.6% at 50 Hz. Oocytes from exposed follicles showed a reduced ability to resume meiotic maturation compared to controls.

Prenatal exposure to 900 MHz, cell-phone electromagnetic fields had no effect on operant-behavior performances of adult rats.

Bornhausen M, Scheingraber H · 2000

The simulation of the cooperative effect of development in a culture of early mouse embryos after irradiation with electromagnetic waves in the millimeter range.

Mezhevikina LM, Khramov RN, Lepikhov KA · 2000

Researchers cultured two-cell mouse embryos in vitro and exposed them to electromagnetic irradiation in the millimeter range. After 30 min of exposure, the embryos acquired the ability to develop on their own and could reach the stage of blastocyst in 150 microliters of Whitten cultural medium without serum or growth factors. The authors proposed that millimeter range electromagnetic waves activate metabolic processes and specifically the synthesis of factors controlling early embryonic development in culture.

Semen quality and hormone levels among radiofrequency heater operators.

Grajewski B et al. · 2000

Researchers measured RF heater radiation exposures and induced foot currents at four companies. They compared 12 male heater operators with 34 unexposed men on 33 semen quality parameters and four serum hormones. Exposures did not exceed current standard levels and guidelines. Exposed operators showed a slightly higher mean follicle-stimulating hormone level (7.6 vs 5.8 mIU/mL). The authors suggested further occupational studies of RF-exposed men may be warranted.

Uteroplacental circulatory disturbance mediated by prostaglandin F(2alpha) in rats exposed to microwaves..

Nakamura H, Nagase H, Ogino K, Hatta K, Matsuzaki I · 2000

Researchers exposed rats to continuous-wave microwaves at 2 mW/cm² and 2450 MHz for 90 minutes and measured uteroplacental blood flow and hormone levels. Colonic temperature did not change significantly in either virgin or pregnant rats. Microwave exposure decreased uteroplacental blood flow and increased progesterone and PGF2α in pregnant rats but not in virgin rats. Pretreatment with angiotensin II prevented these changes in pregnant rats. Corticosterone increased and estradiol decreased during exposure regardless of pregnancy status or angiotensin II pretreatment.

Do cellular phones alter blood parameters and birth weight of rats?

Dasdag S; Akdag MZ; Ayy ld z O et al. · 2000

Researchers studied the effects of microwaves emitted by cellular phones on peripheral blood parameters and birth weights of rats. The birth weight of offspring in the experimental group was significantly lower than in the sham-exposed group (p < 0.001). No blood parameters differed following exposure, and rectal temperatures showed no significant differences between groups. All parameters investigated were normal in the next generation of rats.

Neural and behavioral teratological evaluation of rats exposed to ultra-wideband electromagnetic fields.

Cobb BL et al. · 2000

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to UWB electromagnetic fields during gestation days 3-18, with some pups also exposed for 10 days after birth, then evaluated offspring for behavioral, functional, and morphological effects. UWB-exposed pups emitted significantly more stress vocalizations than sham-exposed pups, and the medial-to-lateral length of the hippocampus was significantly longer in UWB-exposed pups than in sham-exposed animals. Researchers noted there does not appear to be a unifying physiological or behavioral relationship among the significant differences observed.

Developmental toxicity interactions of salicylic acid and radiofrequency radiation or 2-methoxyethanol in rats.

Nelson BK, Snyder DL, Shaw PB · 1999

The purpose was to determine if synergistic effects of radiofrequency radiation and 2-methoxyethanol generalize to other chemicals. Rats received salicylic acid at 0, 250, or 350 mg/kg by gavage on gestation day 9 or 13. Rats given salicylic acid on day 9 were exposed to radiofrequency radiation sufficient to maintain colonic temperature at 41 degrees C for 60 minutes or received a sham exposure, while those given salicylic acid on day 13 also received 0 or 100 mg/kg 2-methoxyethanol by gavage. Fetuses were examined for external malformations on gestation day 20.

The effect of male occupational exposure in infertile couples in Norway.

Irgens A, Kruger K, Ulstein M · 1999

The study assessed whether reduced semen quality in infertile couples is associated with occupational exposures known to be hazardous to fertility. Results of the first semen analysis were linked to occupational exposure data from a self-administered questionnaire. Reduced semen quality was found in men exposed to electromagnetic fields with an odds ratio of 3.22 and a confidence interval of 1.46 to 7.09. A tendency toward reduced semen quality was seen in commuters, shift workers, and men exposed to heavy metals. In general, the impact of occupational exposure on semen quality in infertile couples in Norway seemed to be minor, however occupational exposure mapping is still important in individual infertility investigations.

Change in the percent of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme level in testes of animals exposed to superhigh frequency radiation

Afromeev VI, Tkachenko VN · 1999

Researchers studied the content of six lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in the testes of rats exposed to an electromagnetic field of the 3-cm wavelength range. The percent contents of the isoenzymes changed inhomogeneously compared with control animals. The authors assumed that electromagnetic radiation affects the organs of the human urinogenital system.

[Effect of millimeter waves on the early development of the mouse and sea urchin embryo].

Galat VV et al. · 1999

Researchers investigated the effects of nonthermal millimeter-range electromagnetic radiation on early development of mouse and sea urchin embryos. An MRTA-01E-03 generator with a frequency of 54-78 GHz and radiation intensity of 0.06 mWt/cm2 was used, and embryos were irradiated for 30 minutes at the two-blastomere stage. More mouse embryos reached the blastocyst stage (97.3%) compared with controls (87.5%), and the total cultivation time to reach that stage was shorter (72 h) than in controls (96 h). For sea urchin embryos, the radiation had an effect only when embryos with weakened viability were tested.

Microwave emission from police radar.

Fink JM, Wagner JP, Congleton JJ, Rock JC · 1999

This study evaluated police officers' exposures to microwaves emitted by traffic radar units, with measurements taken at approximated ocular and testicular levels of officers seated in patrol vehicles. Fifty-four radar units covering 17 different models, 4 frequency bands, and 3 antenna configurations were provided by four speed-enforcement agencies and one transportation research institute. The researchers concluded that police officer exposure to microwave radiation is apparently minimal.

Whole-body microwave exposure emitted by cellular phones and testicular function of rats.

Dasdag et al. · 1999

Reproductive function in relation to duty assignments among military personnel.

Schrader et al. · 1998

Researchers conducted a follow-up study of semen quality in soldiers with different military assignments at Fort Hood, Texas. Thirty-three men were exposed to radar in Signal Corps operations, 57 men fired the 155-mm howitzer with potential lead exposure, and 103 men served as controls with neither exposure. Hormone levels and complete semen analyses were measured, and no statistical differences were observed in any semen quality measurement. Results for howitzer firing agreed with previous studies showing no semen quality deficits, but radar exposure results contradicted an earlier report of decreased sperm numbers. The authors concluded that more data are needed to evaluate the relationship between military radar and male reproductive health.

GSM radiocellular telephones do not disturb the secretion of antepituitary hormones in humans.

de Seze R, Fabbro-Peray P, Miro L · 1998

Researchers measured adrenocorticotropin, thyrotropin, growth hormone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone in nine weekly blood samples taken from three weeks before exposure to two weeks after. Five of the six hormones showed no difference across samples, while thyrotropin decreased 21% on the seventh sample but returned to baseline afterward.

Effect of environmental temperature on the interactive developmental toxicity of radiofrequency radiation and 2-methoxyethanol in rats.

Nelson BK, Conover DL, Krieg EF Jr, Snyder DL, Edwards RM · 1998

Researchers tested whether environmental temperature changes the interactive developmental toxicity of radiofrequency radiation and 2-methoxyethanol. Environmental temperature affected the specific absorption rate needed to maintain a given colonic temperature but did not affect the interactive developmental toxicity. The results add to evidence that developmental toxicity of radiofrequency radiation is associated with colonic temperature, not with specific absorption rate. Fetuses were examined for external malformations on gestation day 20.

Case-control study on risk factors for testicular cancer.

Hardell L, Nasman A, Ohlson CG, Fredrikson M. · 1998

The case-control study enrolled 148 cases (91% response) and 314 controls (87% response), including 101 seminoma and 47 embryonal testicular cancer cases. Occupational plastics work yielded an odds ratio of 2.9 with a 95% confidence interval of 1.3-6.5. Farming (OR 3.1, CI 1.03-9.1) and contact with farm animals (OR 3.3, CI 1.00-10.9) increased risk for embryonal cancer but not for seminoma. Exposure to insect repellents, mostly containing DEET, gave an odds ratio of 1.7 (CI 1.03-2.8) for all testicular cancer with a dose-response effect. Video display unit work gave an odds ratio of 1.5 (CI 0.98-2.3), and for 480 working days (median) the odds ratio increased to 1.8 (CI 1.1-3.2).