Abstract
Smart mobile phone use has increased dramatically in the last five years. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted from mobile phones might affect embryonic development. However the mechanism of this effect is not completely understood. Vitelline vessels are the first blood vessels formed, playing a vital role in embryonic nutrition during development. The aim of this research was to study the effect of mobile phone EMR (450-2100 MHz) on the formation of vitelline vessels in chick embryo (Gallus gallus domesticus) and detect the resulting congenital malformations. Fertilized chicken eggs were divided into three groups: control (C), exposed without call (EO) and exposed with call (EW). In EW group the mobile phone was called every 6 hours for 15 minutes, (60min/24hr.). While the EO group was exposed to a mobile phone connected through the Wi-Fi to the internet only. Embryos were extracted on day 2, 3, 4 and 5 of incubation. A major decrease in the formation of vitelline vessels was seen in the treated groups compared to the controls causing bleeding seen in several sites of the treated embryos. Congenital malformations increased in treated groups compared to the controls of all experimental ages. The congenital malformations seen were growth retardation, bleeding, clotting and neural tube defects. It was concluded that mobile phone EMR prevented proper formation of vitelline vessels resulting in deformed embryos.