Abstract

Overview of the Study

In this study, the impact of power-frequency magnetic fields (PF-MF) on the reproductive and developmental aspects of rats and mice was examined meticulously.

Study Design

• Subjects: Adult Sprague-Dawley rats and C57BL/6J mice
• Groups: Sham exposure group, and PF-MF exposure groups treated with 30-µT, 100-µT, and 500-µT
• Duration: Rats were exposed for 24 weeks; Mice exposures varied from 18 days to 12 weeks depending on developmental endpoints
• Exposure Frequency: 20 hours per day

Findings

After rigorous testing and control setups, the findings reveal:

• No significant change in body weight and reproductive organ weight in both male and female rats across all exposure brackets.
• Sex hormone levels in plasma remained consistent across exposed and sham groups.
• Pregnancy rates and counts of implanted embryos in mice showed no notable difference between the exposed and control groups.
• No impact on the number of offspring or their subsequent growth and development in neonatal mice was observed.

Conclusion

The study conclusively found that exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields at specified intensities does not impact the fertility or developmental processes in rats and mice, indicating a limited risk in the conditions studied. However, given the increasing prevalence of EMF exposure, ongoing research and reviews are crucial and further investigation into broader exposure scenarios and long-term effects is warranted to ensure comprehensive assessments of EMF impacts on health.