Teratogenic effects of static magnetic field on mouse fetuses

• Published in: Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 118 - 124
• Main Authors: Saito, Kenichi, Suzuki, Hiroetsu, Suzuki, Katsushi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.07.2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: Abdominal fissure; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - abnormalities; Brain - radiation effects; Brain hernia; Curled tail; Electromagnetic Fields - adverse effects; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Female; Fetal Development - radiation effects; Fetus - abnormalities; Fetus - radiation effects; Forelimb - abnormalities; Forelimb - radiation effects; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hindlimb - abnormalities; Hindlimb - radiation effects; Male; Malformed fetuses; Maternal Exposure; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Mouse embryo; Polydactylism; Polydactyly - embryology; Polydactyly - etiology; Pregnancy; Ribs - abnormalities; Ribs - radiation effects; Static magnetic field; Stomach - abnormalities; Stomach - radiation effects; Temperature; Teratology - methods; Teratology. Teratogens; Toxicology; Curled tail; Static magnetic field; Brain hernia; Mouse embryo; Polydactylism; Abdominal fissure; Malformed fetuses; Statics; Embryo; Rodentia; Central nervous system; Abdomen; Encephalon; Hernia; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Mouse; Animal; Tail; Fetus; Teratogen; Magnetic field
• ISSN: 0890-6238; 1873-1708
• DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2005.08.003

A short period of exposure of pregnant mice to a strong static magnetic field of 400 mT – 8000 times that of the earth – in a dorso-ventral direction had teratogenic effects on developing fetuses. Fetuses were exposed to the static magnetic field in utero for 60 min on 1 day from 7.5 to 14.5 days of pregnancy. Exposed and control groups consisted of 10 pregnant mice each; thus 160 animals were used in total. Various malformations were observed in 15.1%, 13.4%, 15.8%, 16.7%, 20.8%, 24.3%, 24.4%, and 14.1% of fetuses exposed on days 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, I0.5, 11.5, 12.5, 13.5, and 14.5 of pregnancy, respectively. Types of malformations were polydactylism, abdominal fissure, fused rib, vestigial 13th rib, lumbar rib, brain hernia, and curled tail, while only a low incidence (up to 2.8%) of curled tail was detected in control group. These deformations apparently caused by SMF exposure but the effect did not reflect so-called exposure period specificity.