Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Alterations of Immune Parameters on Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae Exposed to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields med./bio.

By: Valadez-Lira JA, Medina-Chavez NO, Orozco-Flores AA, Heredia-Rojas JA, Rodriguez-De la Fuente AO, Gomez-Flores R, Alcocer-Gonzalez JM, Tamez-Guerra P
Published in: Environ Entomol 2017; 46 (2): 376-382
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of 60 Hz magnetic fields on immunological parameters and fertility in Trichoplusio ni (a moth).

Background/further details

To evaluate the fertility and development of Trichoplusia ni, either larvae, pupae, or adults were exposed to the magnetic field for 24 hours. After exposure, larvae or pupae were allowed to reach the adult stage to evaluate their oviposition rate. From each group (exposed as larvae, pupae or adult), 11 males and 11 females were put in a plastic container for mating.
To assess immunological parameters, third-instar larvae were exposed for 72 hours (Remark EMF-Portal: In the abstract, there is also an exposure period of 48 hours given. However, no results for this are presented in the article or in figures). When larvae reached fourth-instar larvae stadium, the third segment was cut and hemolymph was collected.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: 24 or 72 hours

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 24 or 72 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup coil with 552 turns of 1.3-mm diameter copper wire formed a cylindrical solenoid (radius 13.5 cm, length 71 cm); the solenoid was connected to a step-down transformer and to a variable transformer plugged to a 110-V AC source; magnetic field was homogeneous in the middle of the solenoid, so insects were positioned there; temperature with exposure 25 ± 0.1°C and without 24.7 ± 0.1°C; humidity 40%
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 2 mT effective value measured - -

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant differences in the number of ovipositioned eggs and the percentage of hatched larvae were found between exposed and sham exposed animals.
However, differences in immunological parameters were found: The number of hemocytes was significantly decreased in exposed larvae in comparison to sham exposed ones while the number of apoptotic cells was significantly higher with exposure. Additionally, in exposed larvae, the total protein concentration was significantly decreased and the enzyme activity of phenoloxidase was significantly higher compared to sham exposed larvae. The number of granulocytes was significantly decreased and the number of oenocytoids significantly increased in exposed animals compared to unexposed ones (Remark EMF-Portal: not mentioned in the methods section, maybe results are taken from another publication?). The gene expression of the immune markers cecropin, lysozyme, gallerimycin, and pgrp c were downregulated whereas attacin and defensin were upregulated after exposure compared to sham exposure.
The authors conclude that 60 Hz magnetic fields could influence immunological parameters in Trichoplusia ni.

Study character:

Study funded by

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