Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on turkeys.

Abstract

Several studies have examined the potential biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on birds; however, little attention has been paid to the extremely low frequency (ELF; 0-300 Hz; 0-50 μT) radiation found in an urbanized environment. For monitoring the effects of ELF EMF, we used a turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) model, because the nucleated erythrocytes of turkeys contain β-adrenoceptors, and norepinephrine- (NE-) activated β-adrenoceptors have an important role in physiological and behavioral processes. Our aims were the following: 1) to investigate the intracellular mechanisms; 2) to compare the intracellular mechanisms in the treated and control groups over time, considering inter-individual differences and intra-subject correlations; 3) and to study the reversible nature of the response. The turkeys in the treatment group were treated in vivo with ELF EMF (50 Hz; 10 μT) for 3 wk after a 1-wk-long adaptation period. The animals were not exposed to ELF EMF during the regeneration period (5 wk following the exposure). The NE-activated β-adrenoceptor function was detected by measuring the amount of 3΄5΄-cyclic-adenosine-monophosphate (cAMP), and the biochemical enzyme parameters were defined. Repeated measurements of cAMP levels were analyzed using marginal models and a piecewise linear mixed model to compare treatment and control groups over time. According to our results, NE-activated β-adrenoceptor function was decreased in the treated birds in a time-dependent manner, while there were no differences between toxicological parameters in the serum, compared to the normal ranges. The decreased NE-dependent β-adrenoceptor function could be compensated by the homeostatic complex during the 5-wk regeneration period. Extended experimental periods and more sophisticated analysis methods may help prevent harmful environmental effects on birds; furthermore, these findings could affect public health and the economy.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Turkeys exposed in vivo to ELF EMF (50 Hz; 10 μT) for 3 weeks showed a time-dependent decrease in norepinephrine-activated β-adrenoceptor function as assessed by cAMP levels. Serum toxicological parameters showed no differences compared to normal ranges, and the decreased β-adrenoceptor function appeared to be compensated during the 5-week regeneration period without exposure.

Outcomes measured

• NE-activated β-adrenoceptor function (cAMP levels)
• Serum toxicological/biochemical enzyme parameters

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in the abstract
• Details of exposure setup and control conditions not described in the abstract
• Specific biochemical/toxicological parameters and statistical results (effect sizes, CIs) not provided in the abstract

Suggested hubs

• animal-studies (0.9)
  In vivo turkey model examining biological effects of ELF EMF exposure.
• elf-emf (0.85)
  Exposure explicitly described as extremely low frequency (50 Hz) electromagnetic fields.

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    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "urbanized environment (modeled exposure)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "50 Hz, 10 μT exposure for 3 weeks (after 1-week adaptation); 5-week post-exposure regeneration period without exposure"
    },
    "population": "Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "NE-activated β-adrenoceptor function (cAMP levels)",
        "Serum toxicological/biochemical enzyme parameters"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Turkeys exposed in vivo to ELF EMF (50 Hz; 10 μT) for 3 weeks showed a time-dependent decrease in norepinephrine-activated β-adrenoceptor function as assessed by cAMP levels. Serum toxicological parameters showed no differences compared to normal ranges, and the decreased β-adrenoceptor function appeared to be compensated during the 5-week regeneration period without exposure.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
        "Details of exposure setup and control conditions not described in the abstract",
        "Specific biochemical/toxicological parameters and statistical results (effect sizes, CIs) not provided in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "extremely low frequency",
        "ELF EMF",
        "50 Hz",
        "10 μT",
        "turkey",
        "Meleagris gallopavo",
        "β-adrenoceptor",
        "norepinephrine",
        "cAMP",
        "regeneration period",
        "biochemical parameters"
    ],
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            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "In vivo turkey model examining biological effects of ELF EMF exposure."
        },
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}

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