Association of Microwaves and Ionizing Radiation: Potentiation of Teratogenic Effects in the Rat

Abstract

Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to either microwave-induced hyperthermia or gamma radiation or a combination of both. In microwave-induced hyperthermia, a core temperature of 42 degrees C was slightly teratogenic and a core temperature greater than or equal to 43 degrees C was highly teratogenic. Gamma radiation at 40 cGy was subteratogenic, while a dose of 75 cGy was highly teratogenic. A combination of microwave-induced hyperthermia up to 42 degrees C with 40 cGy of gamma radiation was highly teratogenic, indicating a mutual potentiation of the embryotoxic action of these two teratogens.