Influence of low‐intensity ultrasonic irradiation on prenatal development of two inbred mouse strains

Abstract

Effects of low-intensity ultrasonic irradiation on prenatal development of DHS and A/HeMk mice were studied. On day 8 of gestation (VP day = 0) pregnant females were exposed to ultrasonic waves with a frequency of 2.25 MHz and power of 40 mW/cm2 for 5 h. A low frequency of severe cranial and facial anomalies occurred that was attributable to the irradiation in both strains. The difference in frequency of malformed fetuses was marked between irradiated and untreated control A/HeMk mice, but not DHS mice. Fetal growth inhibition and death were also produced in both strains, although the possible effect of binding the pregnant mice for irradiation cannot be discounted.