Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of weak static and low-frequency alternating magnetic fields on the fission and regeneration of the planarian dugesia (Girardia) tigrina med./bio.

By: Novikov VV, Sheiman IM, Fesenko EE
Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2008; 29 (5): 387-393
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the dependence of the intensity of fission of the planarian Dugesia tigrina on the presence of the static and/or AC components of magnetic field and background magnetic fields of industrial frequency (50 Hz). The dependency of the effect on the frequency and magnitude of the AC component of combined magnetic field was also studied.

Background/further details

The effect of some parameters of combined magnetic field on the regeneration of planarian was also studied to compare the magnitude of the effects of weak fields on the two morphogenetic processes, fission, and regeneration.
Planarians were divided into two groups, experimental and control, each containing 50 animals.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 0–60 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 4 h
Exposure 2: 0–3.7 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 4 h
Exposure 3:
Exposure duration: continuous for 4 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 0–60 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 4 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup two pairs of coaxially arranged Helmholtz coils
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 42 µT mean measured - +/- 0.1 µT for the DC component
magnetic flux density 100 nT mean measured - +/- 5 nT for the AC component

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 0–3.7 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 4 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup two coaxially arranged coils inside the 36 cm x 36 cm x 50 cm chamber which had an external Mu-metal magnetic shield
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 42 µT mean measured - DC
magnetic flux density 0.1 nT minimum measured - AC
magnetic flux density 640 nT maximum measured - AC

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 4 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • same as E2
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0 nT minimum measured - 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 800, 1000, 1500, 3000 nT
magnetic flux density 3,000 nT maximum measured - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed that combined magnetic fields produce a stimulating effect on the fission and regeneration of planarians. Both components of the combined magnetic field (AC and DC) are important in the realization of the effects. The complete absence of one of the components (DC) reversed the effect (fission inhibition).
The presence of concomitant background magnetic fields did not substantially influence the effects of combined magnetic fields with a very small AC component (100 nT).
The effect of the zero field (elimination of DC (<0.1 µT) and AC magnetic fields) was significant and comparable in magnitude with the effects of combined magnetic fields at effective frequencies.
The authors conclude that weak magnetic fields with the AC and/or DC component substantially affect some biological processes. The model of morphogenesis of planarians can be used to advantage in further experiments.

Study character:

Study funded by

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