Authors : M.R. Usikalu, Aweda , C.G. Alimba and J.A. Achuka
Abstract: The study investigated the effects of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on rats’ chromosomes. Thirty mature male and female Sprague Dawley rats of sixteen weeks old, weighing between 160-190 g were used. They were divided into five groups of six each; Control (group A) were not exposed to radiation (Group B-E) were exposed to various values of SAR from microwave generator model ER660E. Chromosomal aberration study was carried out by injecting the rats with colchicines 0.6 mg kg–1 2 h prior to sacrifice in order to arrest the chromosome at the metaphase using conventional method. Structural chromosome aberrations such as gaps; acentric; breaks and centric rings were observed in the exposed rats. Group exposed to SAR 2.39 W/kg have the highest gaps (6.45 ± 0.24); highest breaks (7.28 ± 0.08); highest acentric (8.11 ± 0.15) and centric rings (1.24± 0.21) in males and similar trend was observed for female. The result is not sex-dependent as there was no significant difference between the measured values for both male and female rats, there is high correlation (C = 0.96) between the values obtained for both sexes. The study suggests that microwave radiation could induce chromosomal aberrations in rats.
M.R. Usikalu, Aweda , C.G. Alimba and J.A. Achuka, 2016. Chromosomal Aberration after Exposure to 2.45 Ghz Microwave Radiation. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 11: 232-234.