Embryotoxic and teratogenic effect of high intensity, low frequency ultrasonic vibration on chicken embryos.

Controlled exposure of chicken embryos to continuous 30 W/cm2, 29 kHz ultrasonic vibration in a water medium produced, in proportion to exposure, progressively retarded growth or death. Analysis supports, and observation confirms, the presence of cavitation in the water medium. The effects reported here differ substantially from published observations of megaHertz insonation of chicken embryos at similar intensities. The experiments closely resemble in method of application, frequency and intensity the operation of several ultrasonic surgical and dental instruments.