Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Changes in the Honeybee Antioxidant System after 12 h of Exposure to Electromagnetic Field Frequency of 50 Hz and Variable Intensity med./bio.

Published in: Insects 2020; 11 (10): E713

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of honeybees to a 50 Hz electric field on the antioxidative system should be investigated.

Background/further details

One-day-old honeybee workers were divided into the following groups: exposure to a electric field of 1) 5.0 kV/m, 2) 11.5 kV/m, 3) 23.0 kV/m, 4) 34.5 kV/m and 5) a control group. Each group consisted of 10 cages with 100 bees, respectively. The electric field strengths in group 1 and 2 are common in the environment and honeybees can be exposed to them during foraging. The electric field strengths in group 3 and 4 were used to investigate whether higher values will cause different changes in the antioxidative system.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 12 hours
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 12 hours
Exposure 3: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 12 hours
Exposure 4: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 12 hours

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 12 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • plate capacitor
Chamber wooden cages (200×150×70 mm) each containing 100 workers and two feeders with sucrose solution
Setup all groups were kept at the same controlled temperature (25 ± 0.5°C); changes in field homogeneity and electric field strength were lower than ±5%
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 5 kV/m - measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 12 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 11.5 kV/m - measured - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 12 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 23 kV/m - measured - -

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 12 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 34.5 kV/m - measured - -

Reference articles

  • Migdał P et al. (2020): Changes of selected biochemical parameters of the honeybee under the influence of an electric field at 50 Hz and variable intensities

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The superoxide dismutase enzyme activity was significantly increased in all exposure groups (groups 1-4) compared to the control group. The catalase enzyme activity was significantly decreased in group 1 and significantly increased in groups 2-4 compared to the control group. The total antioxidative capacity was significantly decreased in group 2 and significantly increased in group 4 compared to the control group.
The authors conclude that exposure to a 50 Hz electric field might influence the antioxidative system of honeybees.

Study character:

Study funded by

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