BACKGROUND:
The aim of this study was to determine whether shortwave electromagnetic radiation in pulsed mode with a frequency of 45 Hz, promotes teratogenic changes, stillbirths and changes in organ weight at birth in the fetuses of pregnant rats exposed to this radiation.
METHOD:
Ten black Macole pregnant female rats were studied, 5 in a test group, subjected to electromagnetic radiation with an average power of 4.5 W for 15 minutes, on a daily basis, during the entire period of pregnancy and 5 in a control group that was not exposed to radiation. At day 21, the animals were euthanized for analysis of fetuses. To assess the thermal effect of the radiation the abdominal temperature was measured before and after application, together with prevailing ambient temperature. The fetuses were evaluated through the Galant reflex to assess the existence of stillbirths. The fetuses were removed and weighed; through a midline laparotomy their hearts, stomachs, kidneys and livers were excised and weighed, wet and dry. Twenty-nine fetuses were harvested in the control group and 59 in the test group, with no cases of stillbirth, teratogenesis or malformation of internal organs.
RESULTS:
The analysis found no differences in birthweight and weight of dehydrated organs when compared to the control group.
CONCLUSION:
The results in our findings suggest that exposure to shortwave therapy without significant heat buildup, does not lead to teratogenic changes and did not affect the mass and weight of dehydrated internal organs.
KEYWORDS:
radio waves; pregnancy; teratogenesis; adverse effects