Maternal stress induced anxiety-like behavior exacerbated by electromagnetic fields radiation in female rats offspring

Authors: Hosseini E, Farid Habibi M, Babri S, Mohaddes G, Abkhezr H, Heydari H

Year: 2022

Category: Neuroscience

Journal: PLoS One

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273206

URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0273206

Abstract

Overview

The impact of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on anxiety-like behavior remains uncertain, with debates about its potential beneficial or detrimental effects.

Findings

This research investigated the joint effect of prenatal stress and ELF-EMF exposure on anxiety-like behavior and anxiety-related biochemical pathways in the hippocampus of female rat offspring. The findings indicated:

  • Increased Anxiety: Anxiety-like behavior was markedly heightened in all experimental groups, particularly when chronic stress and ELF-EMF were combined (EMF/S group).
  • Neurochemical Alterations: The study observed increased levels of 24(S)-hydroxy cholesterol and alterations in the ratios of phosphorylated to non-phosphorylated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors due to ELF-EMF exposure.
  • Serotonin and Corticosterone Levels: Stress alone reduced serotonin levels and increased corticosterone levels, implicating these factors in the stress-related anxiety mechanisms.

Conclusion

The research provides evidence that ELF-EMF exposure can enhance anxiety-like behavior in rat offspring exposed to maternal stress, with corresponding changes in neurochemical markers within the hippocampus. This highlights ELF-EMF’s potential role in exacerbating stress-induced anxiety, emphasizing the health risks associated with electromagnetic field exposure.

electromagnetic fields prenatal stress anxiety behavior hippocampus rat study
← Back to Stats