Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Biological effects of power frequency magnetic fields: Neurochemical and toxicological changes in developing chick embryos med./bio.

Published in: Biomagn Res Technol 2004; 2 (1): 1

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of chicken embryos to a 50 Hz magnetic field on neurotransmitter levels in the brain and tissue damage should be investigated.

Background/further details

Chicken embryos (eggs) were divided into the following groups: exposure to a magnetic field with 1) 5 µT, 2) 50 µT, 3) 100 µT and 4) a control group (remark EMF-Portal: group sizes not clear, probably n=12 each). 4 embryos of each group were investigated after 5, 10 and 15 days of exposure, respectively.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 5, 10 and 15 days
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 5, 10 and 15 days
Exposure 3: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 5, 10 and 15 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 5, 10 and 15 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber incubator
Setup a square-shaped Helmholtz coil was wound over a wooden frame of 25 Œ 25 Œ 25 cm3 and placed in an incubator; output voltage variation of coil supply was limited to less than 1% and field was uniform; to reduce the electric field in the exposure set up, the 230 V supply voltage was stepped down to 12V/15V using a transformer; all eggs maintained a uniform temperature of 35 ± 2°C
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 5 µT - - - ± 0.25 µT

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 5, 10 and 15 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 50 µT - - - ± 2.5 µT

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 5, 10 and 15 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 100 µT - - - ± 5 µT

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

There was a significant increase in the level of noradrenaline in the brain while there was a significant decrease in the tyrosine level after 15 days in all exposure groups compared to the control group.
The glutamine synthetase enzyme activity and the level of glutamine in the brain were significantly increased after 15 days in group 3 (100 µT) compared to the control group.
There were no significant differences between exposed eggs and the control group in the other parameters or at the other time points.
The authors conclude that exposure of chicken embryos to a 50 Hz magnetic field could affect noradrenaline and glutamate levels in the brain.

Study character:

Study funded by

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