| Abstract: | Time-bred CD-1 mice (100) were sham-irradiated or irradiated with 2450-MHz (CW) microwaves at 28 mW/cm2 for 100 minutes daily from the 6th through 17th day of gestation. The offspring were examined either as fetuses after hysterotomy on the 18th day of gestation or as naturally born neonates on the 1st and 7th day of age. Fetuses of half of the dams were examined on the 18th day of gestation. The incidence of pregnancy and the numbers of live, dead, resorbed, and total fetuses were similar in both groups. The mean weight was significantly lower (10%) in live microwave-irradiated fetuses, and ossification of sternal centers was significantly delayed. In the offspring that were born naturally, the mean weight of microwave-irradiated 7-day-old suckling mice was significantly lower (10%) than that of the sham-irradiated group. Survival rates of neonates in these two groups were not different. These data demonstrate that the decreased fetal weight seen in microwave-irradiated mice is retained at least 7 days after birth. Evidence from other published studies is presented to show that the retarded growth is persistent and might be interpreted as permanent stunting. |
