Effect of Static Electromagnetic Field on Growth Parameters, Survival Rate, Sex Distribution, Ratio, and Liver and Gonadal Health of Zebrafish

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol · 2025 · Harm · Low evidence

← Research stream

HarmLow evidencePaper 2565

Study snapshot

PublicationBull Environ Contam Toxicol · 2025

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Category: Environmental Toxicology Tags: EMF, zebrafish, sex ratio, survival rate, organ health, aquatic toxicology, biodiversity DOI: 10.1007/s00128-025-04103-z URL: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Overview This study examines the impact of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on key biological parameters in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Researchers evaluated sex ratio, survival, and organ health after exposing embryos to static EMFs for 63 days post-hatching across five aquariums with varying EMF intensities based on distance from the source (30-99 cm). A control group was maintained in EMF-free conditions. Findings - Sex Distribution: The most intense exposure (30 cm) resulted in complete feminization (100%) of the zebrafish population (p < 0.001). All EMF-exposed groups exhibited significant deviations from the natural 1:1 sex ratio. - Survival Rate: EMF-exposed groups experienced drastically reduced survival rates (<35%) compared to the control group (82.5%). - Organ Health: Histological examination revealed gonadal abnormalities, necrosis, and liver degeneration in zebrafish subjected to EMF exposure. Conclusion These findings provide the first documented evidence that static EMF exposure disrupts sex ratios and compromises overall health in zebrafish, a commonly used aquatic model. The predominance of females in EMF-exposed groups suggests potential long-term ecological risks, with significant implications for population stability and biodiversity not only in aquatic systems but also with potential repercussions for terrestrial environments as well.

Machine Enhanced Logic

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 typeanimal

Effect directionharm

PopulationZebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos/juveniles

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposurestatic · Embryos exposed for 63 days post-hatching; five aquariums with varying intensities by distance (30–99 cm) from source; control EMF-free.

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Static EMF exposure across aquariums at varying distances (30–99 cm) was associated with significant deviations from the natural 1:1 sex ratio; the most intense exposure (30 cm) reportedly produced 100% females (p<0.001). Survival was markedly lower in EMF-exposed groups (<35%) versus control (82.5%), and histology indicated gonadal abnormalities/necrosis and liver degeneration in exposed fish.

Outcomes measured

sex distribution/sex ratio
survival rate
gonadal histology/health
liver histology/health
growth parameters

Limitations

Exposure intensity described only by distance from source (30–99 cm) without quantitative field strength values in the abstract
Sample size not reported in the abstract
Study design details (randomization/blinding, replication across tanks) not provided in the abstract
Growth parameter results not detailed in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "static",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Embryos exposed for 63 days post-hatching; five aquariums with varying intensities by distance (30–99 cm) from source; control EMF-free."
  },
  "population": "Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos/juveniles",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "sex distribution/sex ratio",
    "survival rate",
    "gonadal histology/health",
    "liver histology/health",
    "growth parameters"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Static EMF exposure across aquariums at varying distances (30–99 cm) was associated with significant deviations from the natural 1:1 sex ratio; the most intense exposure (30 cm) reportedly produced 100% females (p<0.001). Survival was markedly lower in EMF-exposed groups (<35%) versus control (82.5%), and histology indicated gonadal abnormalities/necrosis and liver degeneration in exposed fish.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure intensity described only by distance from source (30–99 cm) without quantitative field strength values in the abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Study design details (randomization/blinding, replication across tanks) not provided in the abstract",
    "Growth parameter results not detailed in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "static electromagnetic field",
    "EMF",
    "zebrafish",
    "Danio rerio",
    "sex ratio",
    "feminization",
    "survival",
    "gonadal abnormalities",
    "liver degeneration",
    "histology",
    "aquatic toxicology"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Experimental exposure study in zebrafish assessing survival, sex ratio, and organ histology under static EMF."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.1007/s00128-025-04103-z
PubMed: 40855214

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library