Hematologic and serum chemistry studies in rats exposed to 60‐Hz electric fields

Abstract

Numerous hematologic and serum chemistry variables were examined in rats exposed to unperturbed 60-Hz electric fields at 100 kV/m for 15, 30, 60, or 120 days. Each study was replicated once. Rigorous statistical evaluations of these data did not detect any consistent effect of the electric field for exposures of up to 120 days. It was, however, not unusual in any individual study to detect certain variables that were significantly different between the exposed and sham-exposed animals. This emphasizes the need for replicate designs and appropriate statistical analyses when investigating chemical or physical insults that may have minimal influence on biologic function.

Effects of 100-μT extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure on hematograms and blood chemistry in rats

“…As for the hematogram examination, blood chemistry is usually used to evaluate the health of humans and animals. The results of the lipid profile and blood glucose level showed that exposure to ELF EMFs had no effect on them, which is similar to the results of the study conducted by Ragan et al [ 19 ]. Recently, Torres-Duran et al found that 60-Hz/2.4-mT ELF EMF exposure did not influence the triglyceride or total cholesterol, whereas the HDL and free fatty acid levels were increased [ 26 ].…”

“…As a consequence, the effect of ELF EMFs on blood chemistry is becoming an attractive field for study by scientists all around the world. Ragan et al reported that exposure to ELF EMFs for 120 days affected the serum ion concentration and serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations [ 19 ]. However, conflicting results have been revealed by Zecca et al , who showed that exposure to ELF EMFs had no effect on serum chemistry [ 20 ].…”

Eight-Week Toxicity Study of 60 Hz Magnetic Fields in F344 Rats and B6C3F1 Mice

“…The hematology and clinical chemistry evaluations were essentially negative in this study. Similar results have been found with electric field exposure (Ragan et al, 1983). In another study, circularly polarized 50 Hz fields did not alter the male hormone, testosterone (Kato et al, 1994b).…”

Statistical approach to combining the results of similar experiments, with application to the hematologic effects of extremely‐low‐frequency electric field exposures

“…Since that report, a number of experiments have attempted to examine various aspects of hematology or serum chemistry in animals [for reviews, see Ragan et al, 1983;Sheppard, 1983; WHO, 1984; AIBS, 19851. These studies have reported inconsistent and often conflicting results; consequently, the critical reviews published to date have not identified any consistent effects.…”