Temporal patterns of extremely low frequency magnetic field-induced motor behavior changes in Mongolian gerbils of different age

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) on different behavior parameters (locomotion, stereotypy, and immobility) in 3- and 10-month-old male Mongolian gerbils.

Materials and methods: The animals were continuously exposed to ELF-MF (50 Hz; 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mT) for seven days. Their behavior was monitored for 60 min in the open field after the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 7th day of exposure (immediate effect), and three days after ELF-MF exposure had been ceased (delayed effect).

Results: In 3-month-old gerbils, exposure to ELF-MF (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mT) increased motor behavior (locomotion and stereotypy), and consequently decreased immobility. Additionally, ELF-MF had delayed effect (except 0.25 mT) on stereotypy and immobility. In 10-month-old gerbils, ELF-MF of 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mT induced decrease, slight increase, and pronounced stimulation of motor behavior, respectively. Regardless of magnetic induction value, increased motor behavior was observed three days after ELF-MF exposure has been ceased (delayed effect).

Conclusions: It can be proposed that the specific temporal patterns of ELF-MF-induced motor behavior changes in 3- and 10-month-old gerbils are a consequence of age-dependent morpho-functional differences in the brain structures responsible for a control of motor behavior.

Keywords::

• Magnetic field
• 50 Hz
• locomotion
• stereotypy
• immobility
• aging
• gerbils

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grant of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia (Grant No. 173027) and MMA Grant (VMA/06-10/B.4). The authors are grateful to Dr Spomenko Mihajlović (Department of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy, Sector for Geodetic Works, Republic Geodetic Authority, Republic of Serbia) for providing geomagnetic activity data.

Declaration of interest The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.