Effect of nonionizing radiation on the Purkinje cells of the rat cerebellum.

In one experiment, Sprague Dawley rats (16-21 days of gestation) and their offspring were exposed to 100-MHz (CW) electromagnetic radiation at 46 mW/cm2 (SAR 2.77 mW/g) for 4 h/day for 97 days. In another experiment, the pregnant rats were irradiated daily from 17 to 21 days of gestation with 2450-MHz (CW) microwaves at 10 mW/cm2 (SAR 2 m W/G) for 21 h/day. In a third experiment, 6-day old rat pups were irradiated 7 h/day for five days with 2450-MHz radiation at 10 mW/cm2. Equal numbers of animals were sham irradiated in each group. Quantitative studies of Purkinje cells showed a significant and irreversible decrease in rats irradiated during fetal or fetal and early postnatal life. In animals exposed postnatally, and euthanized immediately after irradiation, significant decrease in the relative number of Purkinje cells was apparent. However, restoration apparently occurred after forty days of recovery.