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Effects of 50 Hz electromagnetic fields on the histology, apoptosis, and expression of c-Fos and β-catenin on the livers of preincubated white Leghorn chicken embryos.

Electromagnetic biology and medicine · 2011 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 4444

Eggs exposed to a 50 Hz sinusoidal EMF (7.32 mT) for 24 h before incubation showed extensive hemorrhages and liver histopathological changes (e.g., disturbed parenchymal tissues, sinusoid denaturation, vesiculized cytoplasm), increased apoptotic cells, and de…

Study snapshot

PublicationElectromagnetic biology and medicine · 2011
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Reports have demonstrated occurrences of abnormalities in the early stages of chicken embryonic development due to the exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). This article was designed to investigate the effects of sinusoidal EMF on the histopathology, apoptosis, and expressions of c-Fos and β-Catenin genes of the livers of preincubated White Leghorn chicken embryos, based on our published experiments. 300 healthy, fresh fertilized eggs were divided into control (n = 70), sham (n = 70), and four experimental (1-4,days 13, 14, 5, and 19, n = 40) groups. Experimental eggs were exposed to the most effective intensity in a coil with 7.32 mT density, and sham groups were also located in the same coil with no exposure, both for 24 h before incubation. Control, sham, and experimental groups were then incubated in an incubator (37°C, humidity 60%) for 13,14,15, and 19 days. Livers of 13-15 and 19 day-old chicken embryos were removed by C-section and fixed in formalin (10%), stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin and TUNEL for histopathological and apoptosis studies. Others were used for investigating c-Fos and β-Catenin expressions, using RT-PCR. Results showed extensive hemorrhages all over the chicken embryos' bodies and livers, more lymphoid tissues, disturbed parenchymal tissues, sinusoid denaturation, vesiculizad cytoplasm, an increase in the number of apoptotic cells, and a decrease on the levels of expressions of c-Fos and β-Catenin genes in experimental groups of 1-4, comparing control and sham groups.

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
PopulationPreincubated White Leghorn chicken embryos (fertilized eggs)
Sample size300
ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 24 h before incubation
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Eggs exposed to a 50 Hz sinusoidal EMF (7.32 mT) for 24 h before incubation showed extensive hemorrhages and liver histopathological changes (e.g., disturbed parenchymal tissues, sinusoid denaturation, vesiculized cytoplasm), increased apoptotic cells, and decreased c-Fos and β-catenin expression compared with control and sham groups.

Outcomes measured

  • Liver histopathology (Hematoxylin-Eosin staining)
  • Apoptosis in liver tissue (TUNEL)
  • c-Fos gene expression (RT-PCR)
  • β-catenin gene expression (RT-PCR)

Limitations

  • Exposure described as the 'most effective intensity' based on prior published experiments; details of selection not provided in the abstract
  • No quantitative effect sizes or statistical results reported in the abstract
  • Multiple experimental groups are mentioned but their definitions ("1-4, days 13, 14, 5, and 19") are unclear in the abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "24 h before incubation"
  },
  "population": "Preincubated White Leghorn chicken embryos (fertilized eggs)",
  "sample_size": 300,
  "outcomes": [
    "Liver histopathology (Hematoxylin-Eosin staining)",
    "Apoptosis in liver tissue (TUNEL)",
    "c-Fos gene expression (RT-PCR)",
    "β-catenin gene expression (RT-PCR)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Eggs exposed to a 50 Hz sinusoidal EMF (7.32 mT) for 24 h before incubation showed extensive hemorrhages and liver histopathological changes (e.g., disturbed parenchymal tissues, sinusoid denaturation, vesiculized cytoplasm), increased apoptotic cells, and decreased c-Fos and β-catenin expression compared with control and sham groups.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure described as the 'most effective intensity' based on prior published experiments; details of selection not provided in the abstract",
    "No quantitative effect sizes or statistical results reported in the abstract",
    "Multiple experimental groups are mentioned but their definitions (\"1-4, days 13, 14, 5, and 19\") are unclear in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "50 Hz",
    "ELF electromagnetic field",
    "7.32 mT",
    "chicken embryo",
    "liver",
    "histology",
    "apoptosis",
    "TUNEL",
    "c-Fos",
    "β-catenin",
    "RT-PCR"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elf-emf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Animal study of 50 Hz (ELF) magnetic field exposure with biological outcomes."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.3109/15368378.2011.596603
PubMed: 21861694

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