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Research Article

Effects of exposure to static magnetic field on motor skills and iron levels in plasma and brain of rats

, , , &
Pages 901-908 | Received 27 Nov 2010, Accepted 07 Apr 2011, Published online: 01 Jun 2011
 

Abstract

Primary objective: The present work investigated the behavioural and biochemistry effects of moderate exposure to a static magnetic field (SMF) in rats. SMF effects were evaluated in sham- and SMF-exposed rats.

Methods: Adult Wistar rats were exposed for 1 hour per day for 5 consecutive days to 128 millitesla (mT) SMF. Then, their motor skills were tested using a Stationary beam and Suspended string test. Iron level in plasma and brain (i.e. frontal cortex, basal ganglia, hippocampus and cerebellum) was measured.

Results: No significant change was observed between sham and SMF-exposed rats in the Stationary beam and Suspended string test. However, the same treatment induced an increase in plasma transferrin content (+25.4%) and decreased the iron level in plasma (−16.2%). The SMF treatment failed to alter the iron concentration in the brain.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that SMF exposure induced iron deficiency in plasma but did not induce motor-skills deficit.

Abbreviations
SMF=

static magnetic field

Tm=

millitesla

ICNIRP=

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection

ELF=

extremely low frequency

ELF-MF=

extremely low frequency magnetic field

mv=

millivolt

Hz=

hertz.

Abbreviations
SMF=

static magnetic field

Tm=

millitesla

ICNIRP=

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection

ELF=

extremely low frequency

ELF-MF=

extremely low frequency magnetic field

mv=

millivolt

Hz=

hertz.

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