Effects of prenatal exposure to extremely low electro-magnetic field on in vivo derived blastocysts of mice
Authors not listed · 2012
Power line frequency EMF altered the cellular composition of mouse embryos during critical early development stages.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed pregnant mice to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) and examined the early embryos. While the total number of embryos wasn't affected, the cellular structure of these early-stage embryos was significantly altered, with fewer total cells but a changed ratio of different cell types.
Why This Matters
This study adds to mounting evidence that power line frequency EMF can affect biological development at the most fundamental level. What's particularly concerning is that these effects occurred during the critical early stages of embryonic development, when cells are rapidly dividing and differentiating into the building blocks of organs and tissues. The 50 Hz frequency used in this study is identical to the electrical grid frequency throughout most of the world, meaning pregnant women are routinely exposed to these same fields from household wiring, appliances, and power lines. While the magnetic field strength used (6 mT) was higher than typical household exposures, the fact that any effect occurred during such a brief exposure window during early pregnancy raises important questions about cumulative effects from chronic, lower-level exposures throughout gestation.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{effects_of_prenatal_exposure_to_extremely_low_electro_magnetic_field_on_in_vivo_derived_blastocysts_of_mice_ce2079,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Effects of prenatal exposure to extremely low electro-magnetic field on in vivo derived blastocysts of mice},
year = {2012},
}