Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Different responses of Drosophila subobscura isofemale lines to extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT): fitness components and locomotor activity med./bio.

By: Zmejkoski D, Petkovic B, Pavkovic-Lucic S, Prolic Z, Andelkovic M, Savic T
Published in: Int J Radiat Biol 2017; 93 (5): 544-552
Download citation in RIS format

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field on development and motor activity Drosophila subobscura at various developmental stages should be investigated.

Background/further details

Five strains of the fruit fly Drosophila subobscura (named B16/1, B24/4, B39/1, B57/2 and B69/5) were prepared with each strain derived from a single pair of flies (isofemale strains) and defined via mitochondrial DNA variability. The flies were exposed either in egg-first instar larval stage (group 1, number not mentioned) or as 1-day-old adult animals (group 2, n=30). For each exposure group, a control group without any treatment and a sham exposure group (n=30 each for adult animals, no number stated for larvae) were examined in the same developmental stages.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 48 hours

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 48 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • not specified
Chamber isolated room at 19°C and 60% humidity
Setup petri dishes with eggs or vials with flies were exposed to a homogeneous horizontal magnetic field without observable temperature variations and heating in the zone where the samples were placed
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.5 mT - measured - ± 0.01 mT

Reference articles

  • Dimitrijevic D et al. (2014): Extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) modifies fitness components and locomotor activity of Drosophila subobscura
  • Dimitrijević D et al. (2013): Temporal pattern of Drosophila subobscura locomotor activity after exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT)

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant differences were found between the sham exposure and untreated control groups, so they were pooled and used as one control group, respectively.
Exposure of egg-first instar larvae (group 1) to the magnetic field resulted in a significantly shortened developmental time in all strains compared to the control group but did not affect viability or sex ratio.
Exposure of 1-day-old male and female adults (group 2) to the magnetic field significantly decreased the motor activity compared to the control group in the strains B16/1 and B24/4 and this effect lasted longer in females than males.
The authors conclude that exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field might have different effects on development and motor activity of Drosophila subobscura at various developmental stages depending on their genetic background.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles