Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of exposure to extremely low electro-magnetic field during prenatal period on mice spleen med./bio.

By: Bayat PD, Ghanbari A, Saeid B, Khazaei M, Ghorbani R, Ayubian M

Published in: Indian J Exp Biol 2011; 49 (8): 634-638

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on the embryogenesis of mice, particularly on the development of the spleen.

Background/further details

48 pregnant mice were divided into six groups (each group n=8): 1) control group, 2) sham exposed group, 3) - 6) exposure groups starting with exposure on different days of gestation (1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20).

Endpoint

effects on embryo/fetus: embryogenesis (spleen development)

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Exposure duration: continuous for 10 h/day on 5 days	magnetic flux density: 6 mT

General information

Mice were divided into six groups: i) control ii) sham exposure iii) five days of EMF exposure starting on day 1 of gestation iv) five days of EMF exposure starting on day 6 of gestation v) five days of EMF exposure starting on day 11 of gestation vi) five days of EMF exposure starting on day 16 of gestation

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 10 h/day on 5 days
Additional info	it can not be extracted from the article whether the magnetic field was sinusoidal or pulsed, the author gives contradictory information

Exposure setup

Exposure source	coil(s)
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	it can not be extracted from the article which sort of coil was used: a Helmholtz coil or a solenoid; the authors mention a Helmholtz coil but describes a solenoid (a 50 Hz sinusoidal oscillating ELF-EMF was produced by a 380 round turn coil twisted around a cylinder - 19 cm diameter and 15.5 cm length - and containing a chamber to house mice in the center of the cylinder)

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	6 mT	-	measured	-	-

Exposed system:

animal
mouse/NMRI
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on embryo/fetus: embryogenesis (spleen volume, number of spleen megakaryocytes (stereological analysis; hematoxylin-eosin stain), body weight of newborns (n=180))

Investigated system:

tissue slices
newborns

Investigated organ system:

immune system

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Total body weight of newborns, the volume of spleen, and the number of megakaryocytes decreased following the exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields. The complete period of gestation was sensitive to exposure and the initial days were more sensitive, i.e. the effects were more pronounced.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Arak University, Iran

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