Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Pre and post natal exposure of 50 Hz electromagnetic fields on prostate glands of rats: an electron microscopy study med./bio.

By: Khaki AA, Khaki A, Garachurlou S, Khorshidi F, Tajadini N, Madinei N
Published in: Iran J Reprod Med 2008; 6 (2): 77-82
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effect of prenatal and postnatal exposure of rats to a 50 Hz magnetic field on the prostate ultrastructure should be investigated.

Background/further details

From 50 pregnant rats, 30 were randomly selected after conception and exposed to the magnetic field while 20 others were not exposed. After birth, 30 newborns were randomly selected from exposed mothers and further exposed for 5 weeks (exposure group) and 20 newborns from the non-exposed mothers were used as a control group. Subsequently, 15 animals of each group were killed and examined.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 8 hours/day for approx. 3 weeks in utero and 5 weeks postnatal

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 8 hours/day for approx. 3 weeks in utero and 5 weeks postnatal
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup the exposure system consisted of two copper coils placed on top of each other and separated by a distance of 50 cm; a cylindrical wooden container was placed in the exposure area between the coils; inside this container was a chamber for keeping the animal cages; to prevent a temperature increase inside the chamber, a fan was fitted at the top and the temperature was checked; at a time two cages could be put within the chamber with 7-8 rats, respectively; all rats were free to move in the cage during exposure time; the temperature was the same for both control and exposed animals (20°C-30°C); relative humidity was monitored at 35-60% and a 12 hr light/dark cycle was provided
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 8 mT - calibration - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In the exposure group, there were several potentially pathological abnormalities, which were not observed in the control group. Among others, epithelial cells were generally inactive and cuboidal and their nuclei were dense. Corpora amylacea were more numerous. Smooth muscle fibers spread out in different directions with heterochromatic nuclei and mitochondria seemed dilated. The number of microvilli was decreased significantly.
The authors conclude that prenatal and postnatal exposure of rats to a 50 Hz magnetic field might have a deleterious effect on the prostate ultrastructure.

Study character:

Study funded by

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