Effects of Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields on Different Parameters of Embryo of Gallus Domesticus

Abstract

The possible impact of magnetic fields on biological entities is an important but highly controversial issue. We studied the body weight, cranial development (external diameters), and brain weight of embryos subjected to magnetic fields of different intensities.

Throughout their development, chick embryos were exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields of 1 μT, 0.5 mT, or 1 mT intensity. The parameters were studied at 15 and 21 days of incubation.

At 15 days of incubation, body weight was significantly lower vs. controls in all treated embryos: the transverse cranial diameter was increased vs. controls at all intensities used except for 1 mT; the vertical cranial diameter was greater vs. controls in all embryos exposed to 1 mT, whereas it was smaller in those exposed to 1 μT or 0.5 mT.

At 21 days of incubation, the body weight and cranial diameters of treated embryos were all smaller vs. controls, with a significance that depended on the intensity of the magnetic field.

There were no differences in brain weight between treated and control embryos, either at 15 or 21 days of incubation.

These data support the hypothesis that magnetic fields may affect embryonic development.

Keywords:

• Body weight
• Brain
• Chick embryo
• Cranium
• Development
• Magnetic fields