Effect of mobile phone radiation on neural development: Chick embryos model

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Mobile phones are the most used devices in current daily life but with no sufficient data regarding their prospective side effects. Also any association between mobile phone usage and formation of neural tube defects is controversial. In this paper, any effect of mobile phone radiation on neural development in chick embryos was studied. METHODS: This study was performed in the neuro-embryology laboratory, Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery. The specimens consisted of 6 groups; 20 fertile, pathogen-free, super Nick race chick eggs in each group. These groups arranged as control, standby, call-forwarding, one-minute-call, four-minute-call and seven-minute-call groups. The embryos were evaluated using light microscope after the second day of incubation post radiation-exposure regarding growth failure (GF) and neural tube defect (NTD). RESULTS: Control group revealed 19 normal, 1 GF; standby group 17 normal, 3 GF; 15 normal and 5 GF specimens were detected in one and four-minute-call groups. Besides, 7-minute-call group revealed 14 normal, 1 NTD and 5 GF. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Negative effect of mobile phones on neural development is statically insignificant. Even so, the results in all the standby, one-minute-call, four-minute-call and seven-minute-call groups make it difficult to pass judgment on mobile phone usage in pregnants. It is necessary to perform further studies to clarify any potential damages regarding mobile phone usage.

Keywords

• neurologic development
• neural tube defect
• mobile phone
• chick embryo