Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Magnetic field exposure during gestation: pineal and cerebral cortex serotonin in the rat med./bio.

Published in: Int J Dev Neurosci 2003; 21 (5): 263-266

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of prenatal exposure to a 60 Hz magnetic field on the serotonin content in the cerebral cortex and pineal gland in young rats should be investigated.

Background/further details

Pregnant rats were divided into 3 groups (n=10 each): 1) exposure to the magnetic field, 2) sham exposure and 3) cage control. The offspring was killed and examined after 0, 15, 21 and 61 days after birth.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 5 min, twice/week (6 sessions in total) during gestation

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 5 min, twice/week (6 sessions in total) during gestation
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber ventilated PVC tube (5 x 30 cm) inside a cylindrical exposure chamber (10 x 25 cm)
Setup 25 cm long coil with three layers of wire 22 AWG (1059 total turns)
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 3.636 mT - - - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

A significant increase of the serotonin content was found in the cerebral cortex of exposed animals compared to the control group after 0, 15 and 21 days after birth. (Remark EMF-Portal: These are the results as they are described in the abstract and running text. The figures are partly contradictory and not clear. Moreover, a potential significance of the differences between the exposure and sham exposure group is not stated or shown clearly.)
All other parameters were not significantly different between the groups.
The authors conclude that prenatal exposure to a 60 Hz magnetic field might increase the serotonin content in the cerebral cortex of newborn rats.

Study character:

Study funded by

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