Chandreshwar Seewooruttun’s research while affiliated with University of Picardie Jules Verne and other places

The widespread use of wireless technologies has raised public health concerns about the biological effects of radiofrequency (RF) exposure. Children have a higher specific absorption rate (SAR) of radiation energy compared to adults. Furthermore, brown adipose tissue (BAT) is more prevalent in infants and tends to decrease with age. Previous animal studies demonstrated a cold sensation in rats exposed to 900 MHz (second generation, 2G). UCP1-dependent thermogenesis and BAT hyperplasia are two fundamental adaptive mechanisms initiated in response to cold. This study investigated the impact of short-term exposure to 2G and fifth generation (5G) on key thermogenic and adipogenic markers related to these mechanisms while considering age and exposure duration. Juvenile and young adult Wistar rats were randomized into three subgroups: a 5G group (3.5 GHz), 2G group (900 MHz), and a control group (SHAM). They were exposed to their respective continuous-wave RF signals for 1 or 2 weeks at an intensity of 1.5 V/m, with two exposure sessions of 1 h per day. After the exposure period, a RT-qPCR was carried out to evaluate the genetic markers involved in BAT thermogenesis and adipogenesis. Two adipogenic biomarkers were affected; a fold change reduction of 49% and 32% was detected for PRDM16 (p = 0.016) and C/EBP β (p = 0.0002), respectively, after 5G exposure, regardless of age and exposure duration. No significant RF effect was found on UCP1-dependent thermogenesis at a transcriptional level. These findings suggest that exposure to a 5G radiofrequency may partially disrupt brown adipocyte differentiation and thermogenic function by downregulating PRDM16 and C/EBP β, possibly leading to higher cold sensitivity.

The fifth generation (5G) network is currently being worldwide spread out, raising questions about the potential impact of this new technology, particularly on immature organisms. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of daily 5G electromagnetic field (EMF) perinatal exposure on the neurodevelopment of rats. The exposure level was set to the limit of whole-body public exposure defined by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. The mother rat specific absorption rate (SAR) was 0.07 W/kg for 22 h/day at 3500 MHz continuous wave from gestational day (GD) 8 to post-natal day (PND) 21. Clinical observations were performed on weight, length, sex ratio, number of pups per litter, and number of stillborn in sham and EMF-exposed groups (n = 7). The age of pinna ear detachment, incisor eruption, and eye opening were recorded. Behavior was assessed on righting, gripping, and negative geotaxis reflexes at PND 3 or 7 and on stereotyped and horizontal movements in the open field at PND 43. Our results indicated that both male and female pups showed delayed incisor eruption in the EMF-exposed group compared to the sham group (+ 1 day). Regarding activity in the open field, adolescent females showed less stereotyped movements (− 70%), while adolescent males showed more stereotyped movements (+ 50%) compared to the sham-exposed adolescent rats. Thus, the present study suggested that perinatal exposure to 5G at SAR level below reglementary threshold led to perturbations in the descendants seen in juveniles and adolescents.

The 5G electromagnetic field (EMF) network is currently being worldwide spread out. It raises concerns on the potential effects of radiofrequency on neurodevelopment. During the perinatal period, the organism is immature. Its skin and skull are thinner than in adults and less effective at preventing EMF penetration [1] . In addition, research is now focusing about the impact of the perinatal environmental exposome on maternal, fetal, and neonatal health outcomes. This concept is called the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) [2,3]. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of daily 5G EMF exposure in the rat (n=7) from gestational day 8 to post-natal day (PND) 21. The exposure level aimed to mimic the limit of whole-body public exposure set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP, 0.08 W/kg). Specific absorption rate was 0.07 W/kg for 22h/day at 3.5 GHz continuous wave (CW). Clinical observations were performed on weight, length, sex ratio, number of pups per litter and number of stillborn in sham and EMF exposed groups. The age of pinna ear detachment, incisors eruption and eyes opening were recorded. Behavioral data were also collected on righting, gripping and negative geotaxis reflexes at PND 3 or 7 and for stereotyped and horizontal movements in the open field at PND 21 and 43. Our results indicated that both male and female pups showed delayed incisor eruption (1 more day; p-value= 0.015 and 0.020) in the EMF exposed group compared to the sham group. Regarding stereotypic movements, females showed less activity (–60% at PND 21, p-value=0.0015; and PND 43, p-value<0.0001) and males, more (+30% at PND 43, p-value=0.0037) compared to the sham group. No significative results were observed in other parameters studied. Thus, the present study suggests that perinatal exposure to CW-EMF leads to clinical and behavioral perturbations with sex specific effects.