The effect of radiofrequency radiation generated by a Global System for Mobile Communications source on cochlear development in a rat model.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the effect of radiofrequency radiation generated by 900 and 1800 MHz Global System for Mobile Communications sources on cochlear development in the rat model.


METHODS
Eight pregnant albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz. The latter two groups of pregnant rats were exposed to radiofrequency radiation for 1 hour per day starting on the 12th day of pregnancy until delivery. The rats in the control, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz groups gave birth to 24, 31 and 26 newborn rats respectively. Newborn rats in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz groups were exposed to radiofrequency radiation for 1 hour per day for 21 days after delivery. Hearing evaluations of newborn rats were carried out using distortion product otoacoustic emissions testing. Eight newborn rats were randomly selected from each group for electron microscopic evaluation.


RESULTS
Distortion product otoacoustic emission tests revealed no significant difference among the groups, but electron microscopic evaluation revealed significant differences among the groups with regard to the number of normal, apoptotic and necrotic cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicated cellular structural damage in the cochlea caused by radiofrequency radiation exposure during cochlear development in the rat model.
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine,Samsun,Turkey.
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E
Seckin
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine,Samsun,Turkey.
F
F
Suren Basar
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine,Samsun,Turkey.
S
S
Atmaca
Department of Histology and Embryology,Hacettepe University School of Medicine,Ankara,Turkey.
F F
FF
Kaymaz
Department of Histology and Embryology,Hacettepe University School of Medicine,Ankara,Turkey.
A
A
Suzer
Department of Biophysics,Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine,Samsun,Turkey.
A
A
Akar
Department of Electric and Electronic Engineering,Ondokuz Mayis University School of Engineering,Samsun,Turkey.
E
E
Sunan
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine,Samsun,Turkey.
M
M
Koyuncu
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D040421:Cell Phone; D003051:Cochlea / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015834:Cochlear Diseases / Q000196:embryology / Q000209:etiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000209:etiology*; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods; D017208:Rats, Wistar