Histological characteristics of cutaneous and thyroid mast cell populations in male rats exposed to power-frequency electromagnetic fields
Authors not listed · 2005
The study reported certain alterations in cutaneous and thyroid mast cell populations in male rats exposed to power-frequency electromagnetic fields.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed two-month-old Wistar male rats to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields at 100-300 microT and 54-160 V/m for 4 h a day, seven days a week for one month. After sacrifice, skin and thyroid samples were processed for toluidine blue staining or indirect immunohistochemistry, and stereological analysis was performed using an M42 grid and a special microscopic frame. The numerical and volume density of intact type A mast cells in the thyroid was significantly higher in the exposed group compared to controls. Mast cells and immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in the skin, and histamine-immunoreactive mast cells were observed in the thyroid of exposed animals. However, the differences in stereological data were not statistically significant by the Mann-Whitney test.
Why This Matters
The study aimed to determine whether mast cells in skin and thyroid, cutaneous nerve fibers, and eosinophils are sensitive to electromagnetic fields. The authors noted that the possible outcome of changes in the mast cell population under EMF influence on morphophysiological properties of other structures in skin and thyroid requires further investigation.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{histological_characteristics_of_cutaneous_and_thyroid_mast_cell_populations_in_male_rats_exposed_to_power_frequency_electromagnetic_fields_ce1467,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Histological characteristics of cutaneous and thyroid mast cell populations in male rats exposed to power-frequency electromagnetic fields},
year = {2005},
doi = {10.1080/09553000500303518},
}