Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of long-term exposure to a randomly varied 50 Hz power frequency magnetic field on the fertility of the mouse med./bio.

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2010; 29 (1-2): 52-61

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on fertility of mice.

Background/further details

The mice were continuously exposed or sham exposed from conception for two generations to magnetic fields varying between 0.5 and 77 µT. Two generations of the mice were used and each generation consisted of ten pairs (both groups). Each pair was allowed eight litters. At the age of three month, sperm counts were performed on male offspring selected from these litters conceived and born in the field (each group n=8).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for two generations starting with the conception of the first generation

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Polarization
  • elliptical
Exposure duration continuous for two generations starting with the conception of the first generation
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup two sets of four square coils perpendicular to each other; mice kept in 33 cm x 13 cm x 15 cm Perspex cages with cork flakes as bedding; field uniformity 0.2 % in the center of the coil system
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.5 µT effective value - - -
magnetic flux density 77 µT effective value - - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant difference was found between the sham exposed and exposed groups for all the endpoints investigated, except for sperm motility. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields significantly decreased the number of living sperms and the quality of the movement of sperms, although these adversities did not impact on the outcome of the other parameters investigated.

Study character:

Study funded by

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