Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Developmental toxicity evaluation of ELF magnetic fields in Sprague-Dawley rats med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2003; 24 (4): 231-240

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of pregnant rats to a 60 Hz magnetic field on fertility and health of dams and teratogenic effects in fetuses should be investigated.

Background/further details

Mated female rats were divided into 4 groups (n=24 each): exposure to a magnetic field of 1) 5 µT, 2) 83.3 µT, 3) 500 µT and 4) sham exposure. On gestational day 20, all rats were anesthetized, Caesarean sections were conducted and dams and fetuses were investigated.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 22 h/day from day 6 to day 20 of gestation
Exposure 2: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 22 h/day from day 6 to day 20 of gestation
Exposure 3: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 22 h/day from day 6 to day 20 of gestation

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 22 h/day from day 6 to day 20 of gestation
Additional info horizontally polarized
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber polycarbonate cages with polycarbonate lids
Setup field generator consisted of four square coils and one rack (1.8 m x 1.8 m x 1.8 m) with three animal living floors with more than 10 animals per floor in individual cages; magnetic field variation within the animal testing area was less than 3%; room maintained a temperature of 22 ± 3°C and a relative humidity of 50 ± 10%
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 5 µT - measured and calculated - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 22 h/day from day 6 to day 20 of gestation
Additional info horizontally polarized
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 83.3 µT - measured and calculated - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 22 h/day from day 6 to day 20 of gestation
Additional info horizontally polarized
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 500 µT - measured and calculated - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant differences were found between the exposure groups (groups 1-3) and the sham exposure group.
The authors conclude that exposure of pregnant rats to a 60 Hz magnetic field has no effects on fertility and health of dams and no teratogenic effects in fetuses.

Study character:

Study funded by

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