Subacute exposure to 50-Hz electromagnetic fields affect prenatal and neonatal mice’s motor coordination.
Sakhnini L, Al Ali H, Al Qassab N, Al Arab E, Kamal A. · 2012
View Original AbstractPrenatal EMF exposure from common 50-Hz electrical sources impaired motor learning in mice, while identical postnatal exposure showed no effect.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed pregnant mice and newborn mice to 50-Hz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency used in electrical power systems) for five days and then tested their motor coordination skills. They found that mice exposed during pregnancy showed significant learning deficits when tested on a rotating rod device, while mice exposed only after birth showed no such problems. This suggests that developing brains may be particularly vulnerable to EMF exposure during the prenatal period.
Why This Matters
This study adds to growing evidence that the developing brain may be especially susceptible to EMF exposure. The 50-Hz frequency used here is identical to what's emitted by power lines, household wiring, and many electrical appliances throughout Europe and much of the world. What makes this research particularly concerning is the timing factor - prenatal exposure created lasting motor coordination problems, while the same exposure after birth did not. This aligns with what we know about critical developmental windows, when the brain is rapidly forming neural connections. The science demonstrates that EMF effects aren't just about intensity - timing matters enormously. For expectant mothers, this research suggests that minimizing exposure to power-frequency EMFs during pregnancy may be especially important for protecting their developing child's neurological development.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
In this study, we investigate the possible effect of ELF-EMFs on motor performance in mice (prenatal and neonatal exposed mice).
The mice performance is evaluated after 5 days of subacute exposure. Immature mice have been chosen ...
Results from the rotarod experiments demonstrated a pronounced deficit in the learning abilities of ...
Show BibTeX
@article{l_2012_subacute_exposure_to_50hz_1772,
author = {Sakhnini L and Al Ali H and Al Qassab N and Al Arab E and Kamal A.},
title = {Subacute exposure to 50-Hz electromagnetic fields affect prenatal and neonatal mice’s motor coordination.},
year = {2012},
doi = {10.1063/1.3672285},
url = {https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.3672285},
}