Association of microwaves and ionizing radiation: potentiation of teratogenic effects in the rat.
Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to either microwave-induced hyperthermia or gamma radiation or a combination of both. In microwave-induced hyperthermia, a core temperature of 42 degrees C was slightly teratogenic and a core temperature greater than or equal to 43 degrees C was highly teratogenic. Gamma radiation at 40 cGy was subteratogenic, while a dose of 75 cGy was highly teratogenic. A combination of microwave-induced hyperthermia up to 42 degrees C with 40 cGy of gamma radiation was highly teratogenic, indicating a mutual potentiation of the embryotoxic action of these two teratogens.
D000016:Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000528:radiation effects; D005334:Fever / Q000150:complications; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D008872:Microwaves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains