Prenatal and early postnatal exposure to radiofrequency waves (900 MHz) adversely affects passive avoidance learning and memory

Prenatal and early postnatal are the most sensitive and high-risk periods to expose to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). This study aimed to investigate the effect of prenatal and early postnatal exposure to 900 MHz radiofrequency waves (RFWs) emitted from a base transceiver station antenna on passive avoidance learning and memory (PALM) and hippocampus histomorphology. Female Sprague Dawley rats (190-230 g) were paired with males. The mated rats, confirmed by observing a vaginal plug, were divided into two groups; control and exposed. The control group (n = 7) was not exposed to RFW. The exposed group was divided into three subgroups (n = 8); exposed I, exposed during the gestational period (fetal life), and exposed II and III (postnatal exposure), exposed to RFW during the first 21 days of life, for 2 h/d and 4 h/d, respectively. PALM was evaluated by a shuttle box in 45-day-old pups. Learning and memory of animals were demonstrated as the duration of remaining within the light area, which is called the lighting time. Histological sections were prepared from brain tissues and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. An impairment in the PALM performance was noticed in all exposed subgroups (I, II, and III) (p < 0.05). Learning (short-term memory) and retention (long-term memory) behaviors were more affected in exposed subgroup I (prenatal exposed) compared to other postnatal exposed subgroups (II and III). Also, a mild decrease in the density of pyramidal cells was observed in the hippocampus of exposed subgroups (I and III). Prenatal and early postnatal exposure to 900 MHz RFW adversely affected PALM performance and hippocampus tissue in rat pups with more impact for prenatal period exposure.