Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of incubating egg exposure to magnetic field on the biophysical blood properties of newly-hatched chicks med./bio.

By: Mohamed GM, Mohamed ST, Abd-Alaah AA, Kassem AM, Suliman AA
Published in: Pak J Pharm Sci 2015; 28 (5) Suppl: 1865-1870
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of hen's eggs to a 50 Hz magnetic field on the properties of red blood cells and hemoglobin from newly-hatched chicks should be investigated.

Background/further details

384 freshly laid eggs were divided into 4 groups (respective n=?): exposure to the magnetic field for 1) 20 minutes, 2) 40 minutes, 3) 60 minutes and 4) 0 minutes (unexposed, control group). After exposure, the eggs were incubated and after hatch, 9 birds from each group were taken and blood samples were collected. These 9 blood samples from each group were pooled to 3 samples/group and examined.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 20 minutes
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 40 minutes
Exposure 3: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 60 minutes

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 20 minutes
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup 4 solenoids were constructed with 270 turns of electrically insulated, 2.2-mm-diameter copper wire, each, which was wound around a parallel double-walled cylindrical chamber, constructed of 2-mm-thick copper and with internal and external diameters of 45 and 55 cm, respectively; the coils were connected in parallel to minimize the total impedance of the wire and to produce a homogeneous MF; there was no difference in temperature (accuracy of thermometer was ± 0.1°C) between the room and the exposure chamber
Additional info the exposure facility was free from alternating electric fields
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.75 mT - measured - -
Measurement and calculation details

Tesla meter with accuracy ± 2% was used to calibrate the MF

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 40 minutes
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.75 mT - measured - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 60 minutes
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.75 mT - measured - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

(Remark EMF-Portal: the significance of results is not stated in the article and in the following, results are presented as described in the abstract).
Exposure of the eggs to the magnetic field increased the conductivity of the hemoglobin molecules with increasing exposure duration compared to the control group. This increase might be attributed to an increase in the surface charge of the hemoglobin molecules, resulting from the formation of highly active molecular compunds. This speculation can be supported by the increase in the relaxation time of the exposed groups (remark EMF-Portal: this result is contradictory, as in the table, a decrease in the relaxation time is presented). The membrane solubilization increased in exposed groups with increasing exposure duration compared to the control group, indicating a loss in the mobility of red blood cells.
The authors conclude that exposure of eggs to a 50 Hz magnetic field might change the surface charges of hemoglobin and reduce the mobility of red blood cells from newly-hatched chicks.

Study character:

Study funded by

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