Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) exposure on B6C3F1 mice med./bio.

Published in: Environ Health Prev Med 2015; 20 (4): 287-293

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of a chronic exposure of mice to a 50 Hz magnetic field on the incidence of cancer, organ weights and male fertility should be investigated.

Background/further details

The offspring of 10 pregnant mice, which were exposed to the magnetic field during their last week of pregnancy until birth, were used as the exposure group (n=66). The offspring was further exposed after birth for 15.5 months. The offspring of 10 pregnant mice without exposure used for control group (n=62).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 12 hours per day for 1 week before birth (in utero) and 15.5 months after birth

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 12 hours per day for 1 week before birth (in utero) and 15.5 months after birth
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • not specified
Chamber wire cages
Setup environmental conditions were 23 ± 2°C and 50 ± 10% humidity
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 50 µT - - - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The body weight and weight of the liver of exposed animals were significantly decreased compared to the control group.
In exposed animals, the incidence of chronic myeloid leukemia was significantly greater compared to the control group.
The seminiferous tubules diameter was significantly reduced in exposed animals in comparison to the control group.
The authors conclude that a chronic exposure of mice to a 50 Hz magnetic field might increase the incidence of chronic myeloid leukemia and could have a detrimental effect on the male fertility.

Study character:

Study funded by

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