Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Otolith fluctuating asymmetry in larval trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, as an indication of organism bilateral instability affected by static and alternating magnetic fields med./bio.

By: Fey DP, Greszkiewicz M, Jakubowska M, Lejk AM, Otremba Z, Andrulewicz E, Urban-Malinga B

Published in: Sci Total Environ 2020; 707: 135489

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of rainbow trout larvae to a static magnetic field or 50 Hz magnetic field on the development of the inner ear should be investigated.

Background/further details

The magnetic flux densities applied in this study are similar to those recorded in the vicinities of underwater AC and DC cables, respectively.
Rainbow trout eggs were collected after spawning and divided into the following groups: exposure to the static magnetic field until 1) 5 days post hatch (n = 20), 2) 15 days post hatch (n = 30) and 3) 23 days post hatch (n = 30) as well as exposure to the 50 Hz magnetic field until 4) 4 days post hatch (n = 20), 5) 13 days post hatch (n = 30) and 6) 24 days post hatch (n = 30). For each exposure group, a separate control group was used.

Endpoint

effects on embryo/fetus: inner ear organ asymmetry

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 0 Hz Exposure duration: up to 36 days	magnetic flux density: 10 mT
Exposure 2: 50 Hz Exposure duration: up to 37 days	magnetic flux density: 1 mT

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	0 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	up to 36 days

Exposure setup

Exposure source	not specified
Setup	generator produced uniform magnetic field

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	10 mT	-	-	-	-

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	up to 37 days

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	1 mT	-	-	-	-

Reference articles

Fey DP et al. (2019): Are magnetic and electromagnetic fields of anthropogenic origin potential threats to early life stages of fish?

Exposed system:

animal
rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (eggs and larvae)
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on embryo/fetus: inner ear organ asymmetry: fluctuating asymmetry of otolith size (i.e. area) (light microscopy)

Investigated system:

isolated organ
otoliths (left and right sagittae)

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Otolith fluctuating asymmetry was significantly increased in all exposure groups with exposure to the static magnetic field (groups 1-3) compared to the respective control groups. In the exposure groups with exposure to the 50 Hz magnetic field (groups 4-6), otolith fluctuating asymmetry was also increased compared to the control groups but the differences were not statistically significant.
The authors conclude that exposure of rainbow trout larvae to a static magnetic field might affect the development of the inner ear.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Poland

Fey DP et al. (2019): Effect of static magnetic field on the hatching success, growth, mortality, and yolk-sac absorption of larval Northern pike Esox lucius
Stankevičiūtė M et al. (2019): Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of 50 Hz 1 mT electromagnetic field on larval rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Baltic clam (Limecola balthica) and common ragworm (Hediste diversicolor)
Fey DP et al. (2019): Are magnetic and electromagnetic fields of anthropogenic origin potential threats to early life stages of fish?
Jakubowska M et al. (2019): Effect of low frequency electromagnetic field on the behavior and bioenergetics of the polychaete Hediste diversicolor
Taormina B et al. (2019): Impact of magnetic fields generated by AC/DC submarine power cables on the behavior of juvenile European lobster (Homarus gammarus)
Khoshroo MM et al. (2018): Some immunological responses of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerling to acute extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (50 Hz)
Kilfoyle AK et al. (2018): Effects of EMF emissions from undersea electric cables on coral reef fish
Samiee F et al. (2017): Effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field on brain histopathology of Caspian Sea Cyprinus carpio
Krylov VV et al. (2016): Delayed consequences of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and the influence of adverse environmental conditions on roach Rutilus rutilus embryos
Nofouzi K et al. (2015): Influence of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on growth performance, innate immune response, biochemical parameters and disease resistance in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss
Li Y et al. (2014): Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields Induce Developmental Toxicity and Apoptosis in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos
Formicki K et al. (1998): Reaction of fish embryos and larvae to constant magnetic fields
Cameron IL et al. (1985): Retardation of embryogenesis by extremely low frequency 60 Hz electromagnetic fields

Otolith fluctuating asymmetry in larval trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, as an indication of organism bilateral instability affected by static and alternating magnetic fields med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Reference articles

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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