Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Biological effects of low-frequency pulsed magnetic fields on the embryonic central nervous system development. A histological and histochemical study med./bio.

Published in: Histol Histopathol 2011; 26 (7): 873-881

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of pulsed magnetic fields on chick embryonic development.

Background/further details

440 fertilized eggs were divided into the following groups: 1) 50 Hz, 10 µT exposure group (n=123 eggs) and a control group (n=98) and 2) 100 Hz, 10 µT exposure group (n=121 eggs) and a control group (n=98).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 1 s on - 0.5 s off - for 45 h, 15 days or 21 days
Exposure 2: 100 Hz
Exposure duration: 1 s on - 0.5 s off - for 45 h, 15 days or 21 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 1 s on - 0.5 s off - for 45 h, 15 days or 21 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup pair of Helmholtz coils with a radius of 70 cm, placed 70 cm apart; eggs in plastic trays positioned between the coils
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 10 µT - measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 100 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 1 s on - 0.5 s off - for 45 h, 15 days or 21 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 10 µT - measured - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Embryos extracted at 45 h of exposure to electromagnetic fields of 50 Hz or 100 Hz had significantly fewer somite pairs compared with controls of the same age. At 15 days of incubation, only embryos exposed to a 50 Hz magnetic field had a significantly higher somatic weight compared with the control group. At 21 days of incubation, a significantly lower somatic weight and developmental stage was found in embryos exposed to a 100 Hz magnetic field than in controls, while a lower developmental stage alone was observed in those exposed to a 50 Hz magnetic field. In addition, animals showed higher expression of the neural marker NSE (neuron-specific enolase) in the optical lobe after 21 days of exposure, with a reduced expression of glycosaminoglycans.
These findings suggest that pulsed magnetic fields may be able to hinder normal embryonic development in vivo and to alter normal neural function, at least at the intensities and frequencies analyzed in the present study.

Study character:

Study funded by

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