To evaluate the effects of exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field on reproduction and prenatal development in mice.
Male mice were exposed to 1) a sham exposure, 2) a 0.5 mT magnetic field, and 3) a 5.0 mT magnetic field for nine weeks to cover at least one complete spermatogenic cycle (35 animals per group). The same number of female mice was exposed to the same exposure groups, but only for two weeks. Afterwards, male mice were mated with females of the same exposure group in a ratio 1:1. Female mice were further exposed. On pregnancy day 18, a cesarean section was performed and embryos were examined (n=28/32/34 dams in groups 1/2/3). In non-pregnant females, uteri were also taken and examined.
| Exposure | Parameters |
|---|---|
|
Exposure 1:
50 Hz
Exposure duration:
males: continuously for at least 9 weeks; females: continuously for at least 32 days (expect for ca. 1 hour per day for caretaking)
|
|
|
Exposure 2:
50 Hz
Exposure duration:
males: continuously for at least 9 weeks; females: continuously for at least 32 days (expect for ca. 1 hour per day for caretaking)
|
| Frequency | 50 Hz |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Waveform | |
| Exposure duration | males: continuously for at least 9 weeks; females: continuously for at least 32 days (expect for ca. 1 hour per day for caretaking) |
| Exposure source | |
|---|---|
| Setup | no information given |
| Sham exposure | A sham exposure was conducted. |
| Additional info | background magnetic field for sham exposure was 0.1-1 µT |
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| magnetic flux density | 0.5 mT | effective value | - | - | - |
| Frequency | 50 Hz |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Waveform | |
| Exposure duration | males: continuously for at least 9 weeks; females: continuously for at least 32 days (expect for ca. 1 hour per day for caretaking) |
| Exposure source |
|
|---|
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| magnetic flux density | 5 mT | effective value | - | - | - |
The body weight of male mice of group 2 (0.5 mT) was significantly lower on days 21 and 28 of exposure compared to the sham exposure group. However, this effect was only transient.
No other significant effects between the exposure groups and the sham exposure group were observed.
The authors conclude that exposure of mice to a 50 Hz magnetic field has no major effect on reproduction and prenatal development.
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