Effects of Moderate to High Static Magnetic Fields on Reproduction (Review)

Bioelectromagnetics · 2022 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 850

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2022

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effects of Moderate to High Static Magnetic Fields on Reproduction (Review) Chao Song, Biao Yu, Junjun Wang, Yiming Zhu, Xin Zhang. Effects of Moderate to High Static Magnetic Fields on Reproduction. Bioelectromagnetics. 2022 Apr 29. doi: 10.1002/bem.22404. Abstract With the wide application of magnetic resonance imaging in hospitals and permanent magnets in household items, people have increased exposure to various types of static magnetic fields (SMFs) with moderate and high intensities, which has caused a considerable amount of public concern. Studies have shown that some aspects of gametogenesis and early embryonic development can be significantly affected by SMFs, while others have shown no effects. This review summarizes the experimental results of moderate to high-intensity SMFs (1 mT- 16.7 T) on the reproductive development of different model animals, and we find that the effects of SMFs are variable depending on experimental conditions. In general, the effects of inhomogeneous SMFs seem to be more significant compared to that of homogeneous SMFs, which is likely due to magnetic forces generated by the magnetic field gradient. Moreover, some electromagnetic fields may have induced bioeffects because of nonnegligible gradient and heat effect, which are much reduced in superconducting magnets. We hope this review can provide a starting point for more in-depth analysis of various SMFs on reproduction, which is indispensable for evaluating the safety and potential applications of SMFs on living organisms in the future. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typereview

Effect directionmixed

Populationdifferent model animals

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposurestatic

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review summarizes experimental results on moderate to high-intensity static magnetic fields (1 mT6.7 T) and reports that findings across studies are variable: some aspects of gametogenesis and early embryonic development were significantly affected in some studies, while other studies reported no effects. The review notes that inhomogeneous static magnetic fields appear to have more significant effects than homogeneous fields, potentially related to magnetic field gradients.

Outcomes measured

gametogenesis
early embryonic development
reproductive development

Limitations

Review summarizes experimental animal studies; no quantitative synthesis or sample sizes reported in abstract
Effects described as variable depending on experimental conditions
Abstract notes potential confounding from field gradients and heat effects in some electromagnetic field exposures

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "static",
    "source": "magnetic resonance imaging; permanent magnets in household items",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "different model animals",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "gametogenesis",
    "early embryonic development",
    "reproductive development"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This review summarizes experimental results on moderate to high-intensity static magnetic fields (1 mT\u00136.7 T) and reports that findings across studies are variable: some aspects of gametogenesis and early embryonic development were significantly affected in some studies, while other studies reported no effects. The review notes that inhomogeneous static magnetic fields appear to have more significant effects than homogeneous fields, potentially related to magnetic field gradients.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Review summarizes experimental animal studies; no quantitative synthesis or sample sizes reported in abstract",
    "Effects described as variable depending on experimental conditions",
    "Abstract notes potential confounding from field gradients and heat effects in some electromagnetic field exposures"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "static magnetic fields",
    "SMF",
    "MRI",
    "permanent magnets",
    "reproduction",
    "gametogenesis",
    "embryonic development",
    "inhomogeneous fields",
    "field gradient",
    "animal models"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Safety evaluation context for magnetic field exposures is mentioned, but no specific guideline bodies are cited."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1002/bem.22404
PubMed: 35485707

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