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Whole Body / GeneralPart of the Glaser Archive

Chick Embryo Development in a 26-KHz Electromagnetic Field

No Effects Found

A. ZERVINS, D.V.M. · 1973

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26-kHz electromagnetic field exposure for 19 days showed no statistically significant effect on chick embryo hatching rates.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed 62 chick eggs to a 26-kHz electromagnetic field for 19 days to study effects on embryo development. Exposed eggs had a higher hatching rate (64.5%) than the 70 unexposed controls (48.5%), and the hypothesis that exposed embryos have less chance of hatching was rejected at the 5% significance level. The study found no conclusive evidence that this specific EMF frequency disrupts chick embryo development.

Why This Matters

This 1973 study represents early research into EMF effects on developing organisms, examining frequencies far below today's wireless technologies. The 26-kHz frequency tested falls in the extremely low frequency (ELF) range, similar to some industrial equipment and power transmission systems. The exposed eggs hatched at a higher rate than the controls (64.5% versus 48.5%), and the hypothesis that exposed embryos have less chance of hatching was rejected at the 5% significance level.

What makes this study particularly relevant today is its focus on developmental effects during a critical growth period. The science demonstrates that developing organisms may be more vulnerable to environmental stressors, including EMF exposure. Though this specific frequency showed no definitive harm, the research highlights the importance of studying EMF effects across different life stages and frequencies, especially as our exposure to various electromagnetic fields continues to increase.

Figures from the Original Paper

Diagrams extracted from the original research document.

diagramPage 2 - Figure 1. Incubator diagram for exposing fertilized chicken eggs to a 26-kHz, 160-gauss peak-to-peak a-c field.
p. 2 of the original PDF
diagramPage 3 - Figure 2. Two electromagnetic-field-generating solenoid coils wound on plastic cylinders and mounted over cooling fans.
p. 3 of the original PDF
Cite This Study
A. ZERVINS, D.V.M. (1973). Chick Embryo Development in a 26-KHz Electromagnetic Field.
Show BibTeX
@article{chick_embryo_development_in_a_26_khz_electromagnetic_field_g5644,
  author = {A. ZERVINS and D.V.M.},
  title = {Chick Embryo Development in a 26-KHz Electromagnetic Field},
  year = {1973},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

The study tested a 26-kHz (26,000 Hz) electromagnetic field, which falls in the extremely low frequency (ELF) range. This frequency is much lower than cell phones or WiFi, but similar to some industrial equipment and power transmission systems.
The chick embryos were exposed to the 26-kHz electromagnetic field for 19 days, which covers nearly the entire 21-day incubation period for chicken eggs. This represents chronic exposure during the critical embryonic development phase.
Exposure did not reduce hatching: exposed eggs had a higher hatching rate (64.5%) than controls (48.5%), and the hypothesis that exposed embryos have less chance of hatching was rejected at the 5% significance level. The study concluded there was no proven effect on hatching success.
The study used a 26-kHz electromagnetic field with 160-gauss peak-to-peak alternating current. This represents a relatively strong magnetic field exposure compared to typical environmental levels from most electronic devices today.
Chick embryos provide a controlled model for studying developmental effects because they develop rapidly in a closed system. Developing organisms are often more sensitive to environmental stressors, making embryos useful for detecting potential biological effects.