A Test for the Effects of Low-Temporal-Average-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on the Rat Fetus

Abstract

In 1978, Pizzarello and co-workers reported that exposure of rat fetuses to diagnostic levels of ultrasound caused marked reduction in fetal weight. Replicates of these experiments have been conducted and, in addition, exposures at 10 times the peak and average intensity were used. No effect on fetal weight, numbers of living fetuses or resorptions could be attributed to ultrasound at either exposure level.