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The effect of radiofrequency radiation generated by a Global System for Mobile Communications source on cochlear development in a rat model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2014

E Seckin ,
F Suren Basar ,
S Atmaca ,
F F Kaymaz ,
A Suzer ,
A Akar ,
E Sunan  and
M Koyuncu
E Seckin
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey
F Suren Basar
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey Subdepartment of Audiology, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey
S Atmaca*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey
F F Kaymaz
Affiliation:
Department of Histology and Embryology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
A Suzer
Affiliation:
Department of Histology and Embryology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
A Akar
Affiliation:
Department of Biophysics, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey
E Sunan
Affiliation:
Department of Electric and Electronic Engineering, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Engineering, Samsun, Turkey
M Koyuncu
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey
*
Address for correspondence: Dr S Atmaca, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, 55139, Samsun, Turkey Fax: + 90 362 4576041 E-mail: sinanatmaca@yahoo.com
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Abstract

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.

Conclusion:

The findings indicated cellular structural damage in the cochlea caused by radiofrequency radiation exposure during cochlear development in the rat model.

Keywords

Electromagnetic FieldsCochleaRatModels, AnimalEar, InnerPathologyOtoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 128 , Issue 5 , May 2014 , pp. 400 - 405
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2014 

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Footnotes

Presented orally at the 28th Politzer Society Meeting, 28 September–1 October 2011, Athens, Greece.

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