To investigate the effects of a long-term exposure to a 60 Hz magnetic field on the motility, morphology, and number of sperm as well as on the apoptosis of testicular germ cells in rats.
Rats were divided into four groups according to their body weight (n=12 per group): 1) sham exposure, 2) 2 µT magnetic field, 3) 20 µT magnetic field and 4) 200 µT magnetic field. Rats were housed and exposed with 2 rats per cage.
| Exposure | Parameters |
|---|---|
|
Exposure 1:
60 Hz
Exposure duration:
24 hours per day for 20 weeks (expect for 3 hours/week for maintenance)
|
|
|
Exposure 2:
60 Hz
Exposure duration:
24 hours per day for 20 weeks (expect for 3 hours/week for maintenance)
|
|
|
Exposure 3:
60 Hz
Exposure duration:
24 hours per day for 20 weeks (expect for 3 hours/week for maintenance)
|
|
| Frequency | 60 Hz |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Waveform | |
| Exposure duration | 24 hours per day for 20 weeks (expect for 3 hours/week for maintenance) |
| Exposure source |
|
|---|---|
| Chamber | rats were housed in non-metallic polycarbonate cages; outside dimensions of the cage were 260 mm (length) x 420 mm (width) x 180 mm (height) |
| Setup | exposure system consisted of 3 horizontal coils so that rats were exposed to a transverse magnetic field to simulate human magnetic field exposure under power lines; dimensions of the coils were 1200 mm x 1200 mm; for 2 µT upper and lower coils were wound 20 turns each, the middle coil was wound 12 turns; current of all coils was 0.076 A (effective value) |
| Sham exposure | A sham exposure was conducted. |
| Additional info | for the sham exposure, upper and lower coils were wound 10 turns each clockwise and counter-clockwise, and the middle coil was wound 6 turns each clockwise and counter-clockwise; current was 0.076 A (effective value) |
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| magnetic flux density | 2 µT | - | measured and calculated | - | - |
| Frequency | 60 Hz |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Waveform | |
| Exposure duration | 24 hours per day for 20 weeks (expect for 3 hours/week for maintenance) |
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| magnetic flux density | 20 µT | - | measured and calculated | - | - |
| Frequency | 60 Hz |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Waveform | |
| Exposure duration | 24 hours per day for 20 weeks (expect for 3 hours/week for maintenance) |
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| magnetic flux density | 200 µT | - | measured and calculated | - | - |
There were no significant differences in body weight and testes weight, in the diameter and structure of the seminiferous tubules as well as in the percentage of abnormal sperm between exposure groups (groups 2-4) and sham exposure group (group 1). In rats exposed to the 200 µT magnetic field (group 4), the number of apoptotic germ cells was significantly increased while the sperm number was significantly decreased compared to the sham exposed rats (group 1).
The authors conclude that exposure of rats to a 60 Hz magnetic field with a magnetic flux density of 200 mT could increase testicular germ cell apoptosis and reduce sperm count.
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