Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation on Neuropeptide Transcript Levels in the Synganglion of Ixodes ricinus

Abstract

Overview

Anthropogenic electromagnetic radiation is a significant environmental factor influencing biological system functionality. Previous studies have detected sensitivity in ixodid ticks to diverse electromagnetic frequencies. Nonetheless, their physiological responses to these radiations had not been explored in detail until this study.

Study Details

In this experimental study, a total of 360 Ixodes ricinus ticks, comprising equally of male and female specimens, were segregated into 24 groups, with 16 exposed to radiation and 8 serving as controls. The radiation-exposed groups were subjected to two distinct intensities of 900 MHz frequency electromagnetic radiation for varied lengths of exposure time.

Methodology

• RT-PCR utilized to measure changes in mRNA levels within tick synganglia post-irradiation.
• Analysis of four randomly selected neuropeptide genes: allatotropin (AT), FGLa-related allatostatins (FGLa/AST), kinin, and arginine-vasopressin-like peptide (AVPL).

Findings

Significant reductions in transcript levels were observed, particularly in all female groups subjected to higher intensity radiofrequency radiation for periods ranging between 1 to 3 hours. In males, exposure to one hour of high-intensity radiofrequency radiation resulted in significant downregulation of allatotropin.

Conclusion

This pioneering study demonstrates the impact of abiotic environmental factors on tick neurophysiology, notably through alterations in neuropeptide mRNA levels following EMF exposure. The specific roles of these neuropeptides remain undetermined, indicating a need for further extensive research to clarify EMF's biological effects on ticks.