Light and Electron Microscope Studies of Effects of 50 Hz Electromagnetic Fields on Preincubated Chick Embryo

Abstract

We investigated the effects of an electromagnetic field (EMF) of 50 Hz, 1.33-7.32 mT on sections of preincubated white leghorn chicken embryos using light, SEM and TEM microscopes. Five hundred healthy, fresh, and fertilized eggs (55-65 g) were divided into three groups of experimental (n = 18-20), control (n = 60), and sham (n = 50). Experimental eggs (inside the coil) were exposed to 15 different intensities (1.33-7.32 mT) for morphological surveys and to the known most effective intensities for light, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. Sham groups were located inside the same coil with no exposure for 24 h before incubation. Control, sham, and experimental groups were then incubated in an incubator (38 +/- 0.5 degrees C, 60% humidity) for 4 days. At the end of this period, embryos were removed from their shells, prepared for morphometric, light, and SEM/TEM studies. Results of light microscopic studies (serial sections, 6mu) and morphometric data showed significant differences between different groups (P < 0.005). Larger and abnormal brain cavities, spina bifida, monophthalmia, microphthalmia, anophthalmia, and growth retardation were shown on SEM. TEM sections demonstrated that the nucleus was condensed, the nuclear envelope disappeared, and mitochondria degenerated. Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum were the least affected organelles. The Telencephlon was the most affected region, and the retina was altered more than the lens. We conclude that EMFs affect the brain, especially the Telencephalon and eye of preincubated-exposed chick embryo at the morphological and cellular level, nuclei are the most affected part, and our data agrees with "Ubeda's windows effects" of EMFs on preincubated chick embryos.

Effects of sinusoidal electromagnetic fields on histopathology and structures of brains of preincubated white leghorn chicken embryos

“…Coil was located in an east -west direction, magnetic flow was parallel to long axis of embryo's body (longitude 351400 and latitude 511250) and perpendicular to long axis of the eggs (DiCarlo et al, 2000;Shams Lahijani et al, 2007, 2009Ubeda et al, 1994). A system of air condition (one, 5 cm from the entrance of coil and others beneath the coil) ventilated the coil chamber.…”

“…A system of air condition (one, 5 cm from the entrance of coil and others beneath the coil) ventilated the coil chamber. Frequency was always 50 Hz, with 3 most effective flux intensities of 1.33, 2.66, and 7.32 mT (Shams Lahijani et al, 2007, 2009.…”

“…Based on previous research reported about EMFs and postincubated chicken embryos (Juutilainen et al, 1987;Sandstrom et al, 1987;Ubeda et al, 1994), and investigating the effects of EMFs on preincubated chick embryos for the first time (Shams Lahijani and Rajabi Moham, 2000;Shams Lahijani and Sharifinia, 1999;Shams Lahijani and Sajadi, 2004;Shams Lahijani et al, 2007, 2009) and reports about brain diseases such as nerve cell damages due to an increased albumin intake across the BBB (Nikolova et al, 2005;Salford et al, 2003), the aim of this study was to find out how and if the most effective intensities of EMFs (Shams Lahijani et al, 2007Lahijani et al, , 2009) will have any effect at histological and cellular levels in addition to the process of apoptosis of one of the most important organs, brains, in preincubated white leghorn chicken embryos, using light and scanning electron microscope (SEM).…”

Environmental Electromagnetic Field and Female Fertility

“…There are numerous studies showing that EMF exposure of male rat/mice affects testicular architecture , spermatogenesis, sperm motility, leydig cell reduction, increased apoptosis of germ cells and in general subfertility and or infertility ( Khaki et al 2006;Lee et al 2004;Soleimani Rad and Katebi 1997;Devita et al 1995;Lokmatova 1993). In human and animal studies, it has been reported that female exposure to EMF cause some adverse effects and reviewed the potential effect of EMFs on infertility, implantation rate, number of living fetuses, sex ratio, miscarriages, premature births, growth retardation, low birth weight, congenital malformations and prenatal deaths (Roshangar and Soleimani Rad 2007;Lahijani et al 2007;Feychting et al 2005;Chiang et al 1995;Huuskonen et al 1993;Juutilainen et al 1993;Mc Govern et al 1990).…”

Effects of 50 Hz electromagnetic fields on the histology, apoptosis, and expression ofc-Fosandβ-Cateninon the livers of preincubated white leghorn chicken embryos

“…Based on our previous published reports, studying the effects of EMFs' on preincubated chick embryos as a whole and at specific levels (Shams Lahijani et al, 2007, 2009Shams Lahijani and Ghafoori, 2000;Shams Lahijani and Rajabi Moham, 2000;Shams Lahijani and Sajadi, 2004;Shams Lahijani and Sharifnia, 1999), the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the most effective intensity of 50 Hz EMF (7.32 mT) (Shams Lahijani et al, 2009) on the process of apoptosis, and its genetical and molecular effects on the livers of preincubated chicken embryos.…”