Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The effects of prenatal and neonatal exposure to electromagnetic fields on infant rat myocardium med./bio.

By: Tayefi H, Kiray A, Kiray M, Ergur BU, Bagriyanik HA, Pekcetin C, Fidan M, Ozogul C
Published in: Arch Med Sci 2010; 6 (6): 837-842
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To evaluate the effects of prenatal and neonatal exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields on the infant rat myocardium.

Background/further details

Pregnant rats were divided into an exposure group (n=5) and a sham exposure group (n=5). Exposure/sham exposure took place during pregnancy and for 20 days after birth. In the age of 21 days, the offspring (n=30 exposure group, n=20 sham exposure group) was killed and the myocardium was examined.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 4 hours/day for 7 days/week (during pregnancy and until postnatal day 20)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 4 hours/day for 7 days/week (during pregnancy and until postnatal day 20)
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup pair of Helmholtz coils (95 cm in diameter) with 320 turns of 2.5 mm copper wire in each, mounted on a wooden frame; distance between coils 33 cm; coils were connected in series; output current 6.43 A
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 3 mT - measured - -
Measurement and calculation details

magnetic field intensity was measured by a digital teslameter (FW Bell, 5170); teslameter accuracy was ± 2%

Reference articles

  • Canseven AG et al. (2008): Effects of various extremely low frequency magnetic fields on the free radical processes, natural antioxidant system and respiratory burst system activities in the heart and liver tissues

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In the myocardium of exposed rats, the level of malondialdehyde was significantly increased compared to the sham exposed rats, while the enzyme activity of the superoxide dismutase was significantly decreased. Additionally, the number of apoptotic cells was significantly increased in the exposed group in comparison to the sham exposed group. Electron microscopy revealed degeneration of the mitochondria, a dilated sarcoplasmic reticulum, disappearence or fragmentation of most myofibrils and the formation of perivascular vacuoles in the exposure group.
The authors conclude that prenatal and neonatal exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields could impair the infant rat myocardium.

Study character:

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