Prenatal chronic exposure to electromagnetic fields modulated adenosine deaminase activity in serum and brain of Wistar rats’ offspring

Abstract

Overview

This study focuses on understanding the impact of prenatal exposure to both low and high-frequency electromagnetic fields on the brain and serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in Wistar rat offspring. Given the sensitive nature of the embryonic developmental stage, this research is crucial.

Study Design

• Mating rats were divided post-mating into four groups.
• Groups were exposed to different conditions: extremely low frequency fields, high frequency fields, sham exposure, and no exposure at all.

Findings

The ADA activity was measured in brain and serum samples collected from offspring after birth. Results showed:

• Significant increase in brain ADA activity in both male and female offspring exposed to low-frequency EMF.
• Notably, high-frequency exposures also increased serum ADA activity significantly in male offspring compared to controls, and brain ADA levels increased in both genders. All changes were statistically significant with p < 0.01.

Conclusion

The study revealed gender-dependent alterations in ADA activity consequent to exposure to both High Frequency (HF) and Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields during embryonic development. These findings suggest potential health risks related to EMF exposure during the prenatal period, underlining a critical need for further research in this direction.