Transgenerational changes in Daphnia magna under radio frequency radiation in the juvenile and puberty period

Abstract

Purpose

To analyze the results of direct and transgenerational effects of radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on the model organism of crustaceans Daphnia magna.

Materials and methods

D. magna were chronically exposed at 900 GHz EMF with an energy flux density (EFD) of about 1 mW/cm² in the juvenile and pubertal periods of their ontogenesis. The cytotoxicity of exposure as well as survival, fertility and teratogenic effect of directly exposed daphnids and their progeny across three generations were analyzed.

Results and conclusions

The results of our study show that exposure of RF-EMF at juvenile period can significantly affect the fertility and size of irradiated daphnids and their offspring of the first generation. The decrease in fertility may be associated with a cytotoxic effect on the cells of irradiated animals. The reduction in the size of the terminal spine and the body of individuals is an indicator of the negative impact of radiation on the protective strategy of the crustacean population. The reproductive process is restored by the second generation. The results of our study provide further insights into the possible mechanisms underlying the in vivo effects of RF-EMF.

Keywords:

• Electromagnetic (EM) fields
• oxidative stress
• survival
• fertility
• Daphnia magna

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elena I. Sarapultseva

Elena I. Sarapultseva, Doc. Biol. Sci, Prof of Radiobiology, is a Prof. at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, RU and Senior Researcher at the A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center, a branch of FSBI NMRRC of the Ministry of Health of Russia.

Darya V. Uskalova

Darya V. Uskalova, PhD in Radiobiology, is an Associate Professor at the Dep. of Biotechnology. National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, RU.

Ksenya V. Ustenko

Ksenya V. Ustenko is a PhD student at the Dep. of Biotechnology, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, RU.

Viktor N. Tikhonov

Viktor N. Tikhonov is a senior researcher of the laboratory for the study of the effects of non-ionizing radiation and a group for the development of installations based on non-ionizing radiation. FSBI All-Russian Research Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, RU.

Igor A. Ivanov

Igor A. Ivanov is a senior researcher at the All-Russian Research Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, RU.

Alexander V. Tikhonov

Alexander V. Tikhonov is a junior researcher at the All-Russian Research Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, RU.