Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Fetal loss in mice exposed to magnetic fields during early pregnancy med./bio.

By: Svedenstal BM, Johanson KJ

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 1995; 16 (5): 284-289

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of a 20 kHz pulsed magnetic field on early fetal loss as well as progesterone and calcium-levels in pregnant mice.

Background/further details

Magnetic field exposure was applied from day 1 to day 5.5 or from day 1 to day 7 of pregnancy. The preimplantation periode in mice, from fertilization until implantation of the embryo in the uterus, takes 5.5 days. All animals were sacrificed for examination on day 19, one day before birth.

Endpoint

effects on the reproductive system: fetal resorption

Exposure

- magnetic field
- intermediate frequency

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 20 kHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 5 1/2 or 7 days	magnetic flux density: 15 µT peak value (at the racks)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	20 kHz
Type	magnetic field
Waveform	sawtooth-shaped
Exposure duration	continuous for 5 1/2 or 7 days
Additional info	Exposure setup was described in detail in Frölen et al.1993

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	50 µs
Rise time	40 µs
Fall time	10 µs

Exposure setup

Exposure source	Helmholtz coils
Chamber	racks

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	15 µT	peak value	measured	-	at the racks

Additional parameter details

Stray field in the control racks was 0.1 µT - 0.7 µT. The geomagnetic vertical fields 39 µT - 46 µT.

Reference articles

Frölen H et al. (1993): Effects of pulsed magnetic fields on the developing mouse embryo (incl. Erratum)

Exposed system:

animal
mouse/CBA/s
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on embryo/fetus: body weight and lenght
effects on the reproductive system: fetal resorption (early fetal death)
endocrine changes: progesterone and calcium levels in dames

Investigated system:

fetuses, progesterone and calcium levels in dams

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

As compared with sham control, no significant increase of early fetal death was observed in exposed animals. The lenght and body weight of living embryos was significantly decreased in animals exposed for 5.5 days. Progesterone and calcium levels in dames were not significantly altered due to magnetic field exposure, except on day 3 and day 13 when progesteron and calcium levels were found to be elevated in exposed dams, respectively.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Swedish Work Environment Fund

Bekhite MM et al. (2016): Differential effects of high and low strength magnetic fields on mouse embryonic development and vasculogenesis of embryonic stem cells
Nishimura I et al. (2011): Lack of teratological effects in rats exposed to 20 or 60 kHz magnetic fields
Borhani N et al. (2011): Analysis of DNA fragmentation in mouse embryos exposed to an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field
Lee HJ et al. (2009): Teratological evaluation of mouse fetuses exposed to a 20 kHz EMF
Yao K et al. (2007): Absence of effect of power-frequency magnetic fields exposure on mouse embryonic lens development
Xenos TD et al. (2003): 5.6 Low power density RF-radiation effects on experimental animal embryos and foetuses
Frölen H et al. (1993): Effects of pulsed magnetic fields on the developing mouse embryo (incl. Erratum)