Developmental changes in Drosophila melanogaster following exposure to alternating electromagnetic fields

Abstract

This study investigated the biological effects of alternating electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on developmental stages of Drosophila melanogaster eggs and the first, second and third instar larvae stages. D. melanogaster eggs and larval stages were exposed to a 11 mT 50 Hz field produced by a pair of Helmholtz coils. Each stage was exposed to aEMFs for 2, 4, 6 and 8 h. Features of adult flies such as head, thorax, abdomen and other morphological changes were studied and compared. The frequency of abnormal flies was calculated using statistical methods at P <.05. The results obtained from exposing larvae in different stages of development showed a significant increase in the number of abnormal adult flies, whereas no significant increase was observed in the group arising from eggs exposed to aEMFs. Also, it appeared that duration of exposure correlates with the increase in the number of abnormal flies. There was no significant difference in mortality rate and sex distribution of the abnormal flies between field exposed and the control groups.

Effects of extremely low‐frequency magnetic fields on the oviposition of Drosophila melanogaster over three generations

“…However, in two studies, Mirabolghasemi and Azarnia [2002] and Stamenkovic-Radak et al [2001] used a 50 Hz ELFMF at intensities of 11 and 35 mT and did not observe differences in the number of larvae, pupae, or mature individuals.…”

Effects of a porphyrazine derivative on some developmental characteristics ofDrosophila melanogaster

“…1 ml of CoPzq solution was mixed with 500 ml of culture medium and added to culture media of the experimental group. Morphologies of adult individuals of F 1 and f 2 generations were checked according to the sex [15,20,21,22,32,33]. F 2 generation was obtained from individuals that were exposed to toxic chemicals in F 1 generation.…”

The Influence of Electromagnetic Pollution on Living Organisms: Historical Trends and Forecasting Changes

“…In 1985 the team lead by Hamnerius observed neither effects of high frequency electromagnetic fields on changes in the eye pigmentation nor genetic changes influencing Drosophila melanogaster mortality [98]. On the other hand in 1988 Shima and Tomura observed certain gene changes that affected the wing shape [99], while in 1992 the team led by Ho et al reported that weak static fields influence Drosophila melanogaster during embryogenesis causing changes in its circulatory system [100].…”

“…In 2002 Mirabolghasemi and Azarnia investigated the influence of the exposure of eggs and subsequent larval stages of Drosophila melanogaster to magnetic fields of intensity of 8.738 kA·m −1 and frequency of 50 Hz, with exposure times from 2 hrs to 8 hrs, on the physical form of the adult flies [98]. The examination of morphological characteristics of the adults, such as the head or abdomen, allowed the researchers to state that pathological morphology changes concerned only the adult flies exposed to magnetic fields in the larval stage, whereas field exposure in the egg stage led to no pathological changes.…”