[Development of murine embryos and fetuses after irradiation with 2450 MHz microwaves]

Microwave radiation has been reported to produce adverse effects in a variety of biological systems. We attempted to estimate the influence of repeated expositions to 2450 MHz microwaves at power densities of 10 or 40 mW/cm2 on murine (Swiss) embryos and fetuses development. Mated females were divided into groups and irradiated in various periods of pregnancy. Control animals were placed in the anechoic chamber for similar periods of time. In the 4th day of gestation part of animals were killed, number, phase of development and morphology of embryos after their washing out from uterus were noted. Among embryos obtained from dames irradiated at 40 mW/cm2 (whole body MW hyperthermia) the lower percent of blastulas was counted while more embryos were in the phase of 2-8 blastomers . This suggests retardation of development in the early period of gestation in mice exposed to thermal MW fields. The other part of animals from experimental and control groups were killed on the 19th day of gestation. The fetuses and placentas were removed, weighed, the morphology of fetuses was evaluated. In mice exposed to microwaves at 40 mW/cm2 during the second half of pregnancy increased number of resorptions, stillbirths and internal hemorrhages was noted. The living fetuses had lowered body mass compared to the offsprings of sham-irradiated mice.