title: Evaluation of the cytogenotoxic damage in immature and mature rats exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  One of the most important issues regarding radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) is their effect on genetic material. Therefore, we investigated the cytogenotoxic effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and the effect of a recovery period after exposure to RF-EMF on bone marrow cells of immature and mature rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The immature and mature rats in treatment groups were exposed to RF-EMF for 2 h/day for 45 days. Average electrical field values for immature and mature rats were 28.1 ± 4.8 V/m and 20.0 ± 3.2 V/m, respectively. Whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) values for immature and mature rats were in the range of 0.38-0.78 W/kg, and 0.31-0.52 W/kg during the 45 days, respectively. Two recovery groups were kept for 15 days after RF-EMF exposure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were observed in chromosome aberrations (CA), micronucleus (MN) frequency, mitotic index (MI) and ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) in all treatment and recovery groups. The cytogenotoxic damage in immature rats was statistically higher than the mature rats. The recovery period did not reduce the damage to the same extent as the corresponding control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The exposure of RF-EMF leads to cytotoxic and genotoxic damage in immature and mature rats. More sensitive studies are required to elucidate the possible carcinogenic risk of EMF exposure in humans, especially children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Ordu University , Ordu , Turkey.
authors.forename: Zülal
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Atlı Şekeroğlu
authors.forename: Ayşegül
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akar
authors.forename: Vedat
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Şekeroğlu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000528:radiation effects; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008938:Mitosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors