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Effects of prenatal exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields on development in mice: II. Postnatal development and behavior
Author(s) -
Sienkiewicz Ze J.,
Robbins Lucy,
Haylock Richard G. E.,
Saunders Richard D.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
bioelectromagnetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.435
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-186X
pISSN - 0197-8462
DOI - 10.1002/bem.2250150410
Subject(s) - prenatal development , prenatal exposure , physiology , medicine , nuclear magnetic resonance , pregnancy , physics , fetus , biology , gestation , genetics
Abstract To investigate the potential of magnetic fields to act as a behavioral teratogen, pregnant CD1 mice were exposed or sham‐exposed for all of gestation to a 50 Hz/20 mT magnetic field. Maturation of offspring was assessed using a range of standard developmental indices (eye opening, pinna detachment, hair coat, tooth eruption, sexual maturity, and weight) and simple reflexive behaviors (air righting, surface righting, forepaw grasp, cliff avoidance, and negative geotaxis). Activity and coordination levels were explored in juvenile and adult mice using an open field arena, a head‐dip board, an accelerating Rotarod, and a residential activity wheel. All assessments were carried out without knowledge of exposure condition. Results from 168 sham‐exposed mice from 21 litters and from 184 exposed mice from 23 litters were compared using survival analysis techniques and multivariate regression methods. Three possible field‐dependent effects were found: Exposed animals performed the air righting reflex earlier ( P < 0.01); exposed males (but not females) were significantly lighter in weight ( P = 0.008) at 30 days of age; and exposed animals remained on a Rota‐rod for less time as juveniles ( P = 0.03). Some of these results have not been reported in other studies and may reflect spurious statistical significance, although some effect of magnetic field exposure cannot be ruled out. Overall, these results suggest that prenatal exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field does not engender any gross impairments in the postnatal development or behavior of mice. This does not preclude such exposure affecting more subtle aspects of behavior. Published 1994 by Wiley‐Liss, Inc.