Effect of weak electromagnetic field on cardiac work, concentration of thyroid hormones and blood aminotransferase level in the chick embryo.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of alternating electromagnetic field (EMF; 50 Hz frequency, 50 and 100 μT induction) on cardiac work of the chick embryo. Eggs from the experimental groups were exposed to EMF throughout incubation. During the experiment, heart rate (ballistocardiographic method), thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations, heart weight, ventricle wall thickness, and levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined. The results show, for the first time, that the exposure of chick embryos to EMF augments the heart rate, especially from 17 days of incubation. The increased heart rate in the embryos exposed to EMF was associated with considerable increases in plasma T4 and T3 concentrations, which were recorded during the final stage of embryogenesis. The significant effect of the 100-μT field on heart weight and blood AST levels in the embryos suggests that EMF has a direct effect on the physiological function of cardiac muscle.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Chick embryos exposed throughout incubation to a 50 Hz alternating EMF (50 or 100 μT) showed augmented heart rate, especially from 17 days of incubation. Increased heart rate was associated with increased plasma T4 and T3 concentrations during the final stage of embryogenesis. A significant effect of the 100 μT field on heart weight and blood AST levels was reported.

Outcomes measured

• heart rate
• thyroxine (T4) concentration
• triiodothyronine (T3) concentration
• heart weight
• ventricle wall thickness
• alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level
• aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in the provided abstract.
• Exposure source and detailed exposure setup are not described beyond frequency and magnetic induction.
• No quantitative effect sizes or statistical details are provided in the abstract.

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.2)
  Study involves ELF (50 Hz) magnetic field exposure, which can be relevant to occupational ELF contexts, though no occupational setting is specified.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 0.05000000000000000277555756156289135105907917022705078125,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "throughout incubation"
    },
    "population": "chick embryos (eggs)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "heart rate",
        "thyroxine (T4) concentration",
        "triiodothyronine (T3) concentration",
        "heart weight",
        "ventricle wall thickness",
        "alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level",
        "aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Chick embryos exposed throughout incubation to a 50 Hz alternating EMF (50 or 100 μT) showed augmented heart rate, especially from 17 days of incubation. Increased heart rate was associated with increased plasma T4 and T3 concentrations during the final stage of embryogenesis. A significant effect of the 100 μT field on heart weight and blood AST levels was reported.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in the provided abstract.",
        "Exposure source and detailed exposure setup are not described beyond frequency and magnetic induction.",
        "No quantitative effect sizes or statistical details are provided in the abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "ELF EMF",
        "50 Hz",
        "microtesla",
        "chick embryo",
        "heart rate",
        "thyroid hormones",
        "T3",
        "T4",
        "ALT",
        "AST",
        "cardiac work"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.200000000000000011102230246251565404236316680908203125,
            "reason": "Study involves ELF (50 Hz) magnetic field exposure, which can be relevant to occupational ELF contexts, though no occupational setting is specified."
        }
    ]
}

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