Evaluation of Neuronal PARP-1 and Caspase-3 Levels in the Brain Tissue of Female Rats Exposed to Electromagnetic Fields at Different Gestational Stages

Authors: Tüfekci KK, Tatar M, Elamin AAE, Kaplan S

Year: 2025 Feb

Category: Neuroscience

Journal: International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience

DOI: 10.1002/jdn.70010

URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39964245/

Abstract

Overview

Fetal exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) may cause marked neurocognitive impairment, although the mechanisms involved are still unclear. EMF induces region-specific neuronal and astroglial death in the rat hippocampus. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) regulates necrosis, apoptosis and other cellular processes occurring following injury. This study, therefore, investigated whether PARP-1 also regulates neuronal responses in the hippocampus of rats subjected to EMF radiation during different developmental periods. Male and female rats were first allowed to mate in separate cages.

Methods

  • Rats identified as pregnant were divided into four groups.
  • A 900-MHz EMF was applied for 2 hours daily during gestational days (GD) 1-7, GD 8-14, and GD 15-21.
  • Female offspring were sacrificed at the end of the 28th postnatal day, and PARP-1 and Caspase-3 expressions in the hippocampus were evaluated.
  • No special treatment was applied to the control group.

Findings

  • In the EMF-exposed group, pyramidal neurons in the cornu ammonis (CA) region appeared normal after exposure on GD 1-7 but were darkly stained and shrunken after exposure on GD 15-21.
  • The majority of granular cells exhibited a normal appearance during all GDs.
  • The group exposed to EMF on GD 15-21 exhibited strong PARP-1 and Caspase-3 immune reactivity in CA and dentate gyrus (DG) cells.
  • Higher H-scores were also observed in the EMF-exposed group following GD 15-21 irradiation.

Conclusion

As a result, a 900-MHz EMF application at GD 15-21, which coincides with hippocampal neurogenesis, triggered hippocampal neuron cell death by activating PARP-1 and Caspase-3.

⚠️ This study shows a clear connection between EMF exposure during sensitive developmental stages and neuronal damage mediated by apoptosis and necrosis markers in the hippocampus.

electromagnetic fields EMF exposure hippocampus PARP-1 caspase-3 neurogenesis neurotoxicity
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