Use Models of Early Developing Embryo Japanese Quail (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) For Assessment of Biological Activity of Microwave

Abstract

During the last few decades, worldwide intensive implementation of GSM mobile communication systems has occurred. Recent epidemiological studies raised concerns about potential hazards of long-term microwave exposure for human health. We aimed at assessment of biological effects of microwave emitted by commercial cell phone using developing bird embryo as a model. Embryos of Japanese Quails were exposed in ovo to GSM 900 MHz cellular phone radiation during initial 38 h of brooding or alternatively during 158 h (120 h before brooding plus initial 38 h of brooding) discontinuously with 48 sec ON followed by 12 sec OFF intervals. Maximum intensity of incident radiation on the egg’s surface was 0,2 µW/cm². A number of differentiated somiteswere assessed microscopically. Possible DNA damage evoked by irradiation was assessed by an alkaline comet assay. Exposure to radiation from GSM 900 MHz cellular phone led to a significantly altered number of differentiated somites. In embryos irradiated during 38 h the number of differentiated somitesincreased (p<0,001), while in embryos irradiated during 158 h this number decreased (p<0.05). The lower duration of exposure led to significant (p<0.001) decrease in a level of DNA stand breaks in cells of 38-h embryos, while the higher duration of exposure resulted in a significant (p<0.001) increase in DNA damage as compared to the control.