The potential protective effects of melatonin and omega-3 on the male rat optic nerve exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic radiation during the prenatal period

Abstract

Overview

With the increasing prevalence of electronic device usage by children and adolescents, significant attention has been turned towards the impacts of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on health, specifically during the pre-and early postnatal periods. The focus of this study was on the optic nerve and how it may be affected by EMF exposure.

Methods

• Subjects: Thirty-five pregnant rats were categorized into seven different groups: Control, Sham, EMF, EMF + Melatonin (EMF + Mel), EMF + Omega-3 (EMF + ω3), Melatonin only (Mel), and Omega-3 only (ω3).
• Procedure: The groups that were exposed to EMF received 900 megahertz (MHz) daily for two hours during gestation. Post-experiment, the optic nerve tissues were extracted for detailed microscopic analysis.

Findings

No significant statistical differences were observed in terms of axon numbers, axonal areas, or myelin sheath thicknesses across the groups. However, ultrastructural damages such as impaired lamellae and vacuolization were notable in the EMF group. In contrast, groups treated with Melatonin or Omega-3 along with EMF exposure showed preserved nerve fibers and intact neural cells.

Conclusion

At the ultrastructural level, Melatonin and Omega-3 demonstrate a potential neuroprotective effect against the detrimental impacts of prenatal EMF exposure. This protective characteristic benefits oligodendrocytes crucial for myelin sheath formation, suggesting the need for further detailed studies.