Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on mutation induction in mice med./bio.

Published in: Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanism of Mutagenesis 2014; 760: 22-26

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of mice to a 50 Hz magnetic field on mutation induction in sperms and blood should be investigated.

Background/further details

Mice were divided into 8 groups (n=5 each): 1) sham exposure, 2) exposure to 1 Gy of X-rays (positive control), exposure to a magnetic field with 3) 10 µT for 2 hours, 4) 10 µT for 15 hours, 5) 100 µT for 2 hours, 6) 100 µT for 15 hours, 7) 300 µT for 2 hours and 8) 300 µT for 15 hours. Testes and blood samples were collected from all animals 12 weeks after exposure.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 15 h
Exposure 3: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h
Exposure 4: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 15 h
Exposure 5: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h
Exposure 6: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 15 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup two pairs of Helmholtz coils generated a homogenous magnetic field (± 5% within the centre of the coils occupied by the mice); the horizontal pair (overall diameter of 54 cm) and vertical pair (overall diameter of 99 cm) each consisted of 150 turns of 1 mm copper wire wound on a frame made of Tufnol resin; earthed screen was wound around all coils to prevent stray electric fields
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info X-ray radiation (1 Gy) in positive control was delivered at a rate of 0.5 Gy/min
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 10 µT - measured - ± 5%

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 15 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 10 µT - measured - ± 5%

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 100 µT - measured - ± 5%

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 15 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 100 µT - measured - ± 5%

Exposure 5

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 300 µT - measured - ± 5%

Exposure 6

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 15 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 300 µT - measured - ± 5%

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

None of the exposure groups (3-8) showed any significant differences in the mutation frequencies in blood and sperms. Combining the data of all exposure groups (3-8), a small but significant increase in the mutation frequency in sperms could be found compared to the sham exposure. However, a dose-response relationship could not be established.
The authors conclude that exposure of mice to a 50 Hz magnetic field has only a minor effect on mutation induction in the testes at most, at least under the given experimental conditions.

Study character:

Study funded by

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