Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Can safe and long-term exposure to extremely low frequency (50 Hz) magnetic fields affect apoptosis, reproduction, and oxidative stress? med./bio.

By: Akdag MZ, Dasdag S, Uzunlar AK, Ulukaya E, Oral AY, Celik N, Aksen F
Published in: Int J Radiat Biol 2013; 89 (12): 1053-1060
Download citation in RIS format

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To evaluate the effects of exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields on rat testis.

Background/further details

Three groups of rats were examined (n=10 per group): 1.) sham exposure, 2.) exposure to a magnetic flux density of 100 µT and 3.) exposure to a magnetic flux density of 500 µT.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 2 hours/day, 7 days/week for 10 month
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 2 hours/day, 7 days/week for 10 month

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 2 hours/day, 7 days/week for 10 month
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber rats freely moving in a methacrylate cage inside the coils
Setup pair of Helmholtz coils (25 cm in diameter) in Faraday cage (130 x 65 x 80 cm); magnet constructed by winding 225 turns of insulated soft copper wire (1 cm diameter), coils were placed horizontally, facing each other
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 100 µT - measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 2 hours/day, 7 days/week for 10 month
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 500 µT - measured - -

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant differences between the groups were observed in sperm count and morphology. In the 500 µT exposed groups, the enzyme activity of caspase-3 was significantly increased compared to the sham exposed group. Between the three groups, no significant differences regarding oxidative stress parameters were found.
The authors conclude that exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields with a magnetic flux density of 500 µT has no influence on sperm count and morphology, as well as oxidative stress parameters in rats, but affects the enzyme activity of caspase-3 (indicator of apoptosis).

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles