The genotoxic effects of mobile phone waves on induction of chromosomal damages in embryos of Balb/C mice

Background: In recent years, the widespread use of microwave producing instruments specially mobile phones; result in growing concern regarding the possible effects associated with these waves on human health. In the present study investigated the genotoxic effects of mobile phone radiation in adult mice (Balb/C) and their embryos.

Methods: In this experimental research pregnant mice were irradiated with mobile phone for 4 days during gestational period from 14th to 18th days of gestation for 6h/day from 9AM until 15PM). At the end of treatment period, euthanized the dams on day 18.5. Then embryos in 18.5^th day of gestation were extracted. At first the morphology of embryos was studied, then documented their weight and CR length. For assessment of possible genetic damages in erythrocytes the blood was taken from their hearts and smear was prepared. Spleen tissue was prepared for histological studies. Smear was prepared from peripheral blood and bone marrow of mice and stained with May Grunowald and Gimsa. data were analyzed using t-test & ANOVA.

Results: In experimental group, mobile phone radiation decreased embryos weight (P=0.04) but no change was observed in CR length. Megakaryocytes and red blood cells of spleen were significantly increased (P=0.002 and P<0.05, respectively). However, lymphocytes.numbers and micronucleus frequency in peripheral blood erythrocytes in experimental embryos and pregnant mice did not change. Interestingly, micronucleus frequency in polychromatic erythrocytes of bone marrow of pregnant mice was significantly increased (P <0.001).

Conclusion: Mobile phone radiation (940 MHZ) had genotoxic effects and increased micronucleus formation in polychromatic erythrocytes of bone marrow in pregnant mice.