Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Histological studies of the low frequency electromagnetic fields effect on liver, testes and kidney in guinea pigs med./bio.

By: Zare S, Alivandi S, Ebadi AG
Published in: World Appl Sci J 2007; 2 (5): 509-511
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields on the morphology of the liver, kidney and testes of guinea pigs.

Background/further details

The animals were divided into six groups and exposed or sham exposed for five days: 1.) sham exposure 2 hours daily, 2.) exposure 2 hours daily (0.013 µT, 5 Hz), 3.) exposure 2 hours daily (0.207 µT, 50 Hz), 4.) sham exposure 4 hours daily, 5.) exposure 4 hours daily (0.013 µT, 5 Hz) and 6.) exposure 4 hours daily (0.207 µT, 50 Hz).
Remark EMF-Portal: No information about number of animals given.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 5 Hz
Exposure duration: daily for 2 hours or 4 hours on 5 consecutive days
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: daily for 2 hours or 4 hours on 5 consecutive days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 5 Hz
Type
Exposure duration daily for 2 hours or 4 hours on 5 consecutive days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup Solenoid consisted of 15 rings of armature winding with each ring consisting of 100 rounds of wire (i.e. a total of 1500 rounds of wire), a function generator was connected to the solenoid
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.013 µT - - - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration daily for 2 hours or 4 hours on 5 consecutive days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.207 µT - - - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In the liver of guinea pigs from group 5 (4 h daily, 5 Hz, magnetic flux density of 0.013 µT), a vacuolation of the cytoplasm was observed.
In the kidney of animals from group 5 (4 h daily, 5 Hz, 0.013 µT) and group 6 (4 h daily, 50 Hz, 0.207 µT), the epithelial cells of the tubules were swollen. Additionally, cell necrosis which caused a decrease in the lumen of the renal tubules was observed in these groups.
In the testes of animals from group 2 (2 h daily, 5 Hz, 0.013 µT) and group 5 (4 h daily, 5 Hz, 0.013 µT), atrophied seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue was found as well as a decrease of leydig cells.
The authors conclude that extremely low frequency magnetic fields could affect the morphology of the liver, kidney and testes of guinea pigs.

Study character:

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