To investigate the effects of a static electric field and a 50 Hz electric field on the immune system of mice.
In total, 120 male mice were used. Two experiments were performed: 1) Exposure to the static electric field (n=30) with a respective control group (n=30) and 2) Exposure to the 50 Hz electric field (n=30) and a respective control group (n=30). Mice were randomly assigned to the exposure or the control group. After 7, 14, or 21 days mice were sacrified (10 mice per group, respectively) and blood samples were taken.
| Exposure | Parameters |
|---|---|
|
Exposure 1:
Exposure duration:
continuously for 7, 14, or 21 days
|
|
|
Exposure 2:
50 Hz
Exposure duration:
continuously for 7, 14, or 21 days
|
|
| Frequency | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Exposure duration | continuously for 7, 14, or 21 days |
| Chamber | mice were housed in plastic cages (35 cm length, 25 cm width, 46 cm height) with top open |
|---|---|
| Setup | exposure device consisted of a boost unit, a rectifier unit (only with the static electric field), a control unit and an electrode unit; the electrode unit consisted of two parallel electrode plates with a distance of 100 cm between the plates; the lower electrode was grounded; cages were placed on the lower electrode plate |
| Additional info | the cages of the control group were placed on the ground below the lower electrode plate |
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| electric field strength | 35 kV/m | - | measured | - | ± 1.1 kV/m |
| Frequency | 50 Hz |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Exposure duration | continuously for 7, 14, or 21 days |
| Exposure source |
|
|---|
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| electric field strength | 35 kV/m | - | measured | - | ± 0.9 kV/m |
No significant differences in all examined parameters were found between static electric field exposed mice and their respective control group (experiment 1).
In mice exposed to the 50 Hz electric field, the number of white blood cells (after 7, 14, and 21 days), red blood cells (after 7 days) and the hemoglobin concentration (after 21 days) were significantly reduced in comparison to control mice. However, the proportion of different types of white blood cells was unchanged (experiment 2).
The authors conclude that 50 Hz electric fields could impair the function of the immune system in mice while static electric fields do not have an effect.
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