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Extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) modifies fitness components and locomotor activity of Drosophila subobscura.

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Dimitrijević D, Savić T, Anđelković M, Prolić Z, Janać B. · 2014

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A 50 Hz, 0.5 mT magnetic field shortened developmental time and reduced locomotor activity in Drosophila subobscura, but did not affect sex ratio.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed Drosophila subobscura at different developmental stages to an extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) for 48 hours. The magnetic field shortened developmental time and increased viability, while sex ratio was unaffected. Regardless of which developmental stage was exposed, the magnetic field significantly decreased locomotor activity in adult flies. When just-eclosed adults were exposed, the observed reduction in locomotor activity lasted longer than in other exposure groups.

Why This Matters

The study tracked fitness components including developmental time, developmental dynamics, viability, and sex ratio, as well as locomotor activity of three-day-old males and females. Newly eclosed adult flies were also exposed and their locomotor activity was monitored just after. The researchers suggested the observed effects may relate to the influence of the magnetic field on hormonal and nervous systems during development.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.5 mT
Source/Device
50 Hz
Exposure Duration
48 h

Exposure Context

This study used 0.5 mT for magnetic fields:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.5 mTExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 3 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study was to examine the effects in Drosophila subobscura exposed for 48 h to ELF magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) at different developmental stages.

Egg-first instar larvae developmental stage of D. subobscura isofemale lines was exposed to ELF mag...

ELF magnetic field shortens developmental time, increases viability and does not affect sex ratio of...

Applied ELF magnetic field modifies fitness components and locomotor activity of D. subobscura. Observed effects can be attributed to the influence of magnetic field on different stages of development where the hormonal and nervous systems play important role in the control of examined parameters.

Cite This Study
Dimitrijević D, Savić T, Anđelković M, Prolić Z, Janać B. (2014). Extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) modifies fitness components and locomotor activity of Drosophila subobscura. Int J Radiat Biol 2014; 90 (5): 337-343.
Show BibTeX
@article{d_2014_extremely_low_frequency_magnetic_243,
  author = {Dimitrijević D and Savić T and Anđelković M and Prolić Z and Janać B.},
  title = {Extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) modifies fitness components and locomotor activity of Drosophila subobscura. },
  year = {2014},
  doi = {10.3109/09553002.2014.888105},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09553002.2014.888105},
}
DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2014.888105

Cited By (16 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

The study used Drosophila subobscura isofemale lines exposed at different developmental stages.
The magnetic field was set at 50 Hz and 0.5 mT, with exposures lasting 48 hours.
Viability increased while sex ratio was not affected by the magnetic field.
All exposure groups showed decreased locomotor activity, but flies exposed as newly eclosed adults showed a longer-lasting change.
Researchers suggested the effects may be attributed to the influence of the magnetic field on developmental stages where hormonal and nervous systems play an important role.