Neuroprotective effects of melatonin and omega-3 on hippocampal cells prenatally exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields.
← Research streamPrenatal 900 MHz EMF exposure (60 min/day during gestation) was associated with a significantly lower total number of hippocampal pyramidal cells in the EMF group compared with control, sham, EMF+melatonin, and EMF+omega-3 groups. No differences were observed…
Study snapshot
Abstract
PURPOSE: Adverse effects on human health caused by electromagnetic fields (EMF) associated with the use of mobile phones, particularly among young people, are increasing all the time. The potential deleterious effects of EMF exposure resulting from mobile phones being used in close proximity to the brain require particular evaluation. However, only a limited number of studies have investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to EMF in the development of the pyramidal cells using melatonin (MEL) and omega-3 (ω-3). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We established seven groups of pregnant rats consisting of three animals each; control (CONT), SHAM, EMF, EMF + MEL, MEL, EMF + ω-3 and ω-3 alone. The rats in the EMF, EMF + MEL, EMF + ω-3 groups were exposed to 900 MHz EMF for 60 min/day in an exposure tube during the gestation period. The CONT, MEL and ω-3 group rats were not placed inside the exposure tube or exposed to EMF during the study period. After delivery, only spontaneously delivered male rat pups were selected for the establishment of further groups. Each group of offspring consisted of six animals. The optical fractionator technique was used to determine total pyramidal neuron numbers in the rat hippocampal region. RESULTS: The total number of pyramidal cells in the cornu ammonis (CA) in the EMF group was significantly lower than in the CONT, SHAM, EMF + MEL, and EMF + ω-3 groups. No significant difference was observed between the EMF, MEL and ω-3 groups. No difference was also observed between any groups in terms of rats' body or brain weights. CONCLUSION: MEL and ω-3 can protect the cell against neuronal damage in the hippocampus induced by 900 MHz EMF. However, further studies are now needed to evaluate the chronic effects of 900 MHz EMF on the brain in the prenatal period.
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.
Main findings
Prenatal 900 MHz EMF exposure (60 min/day during gestation) was associated with a significantly lower total number of hippocampal pyramidal cells in the EMF group compared with control, sham, EMF+melatonin, and EMF+omega-3 groups. No differences were observed between groups for body or brain weights.
Outcomes measured
- Total pyramidal neuron numbers in hippocampus (cornu ammonis, CA)
- Body weight
- Brain weight
Limitations
- Small group sizes (three pregnant rats per group; six male pups per offspring group)
- Only male offspring were assessed
- Exposure metric details such as SAR were not reported in the abstract
- Outcome limited to hippocampal pyramidal cell counts and weights; other neurodevelopmental endpoints not described
View raw extracted JSON
{
"study_type": "animal",
"exposure": {
"band": "RF",
"source": "mobile phone",
"frequency_mhz": 900,
"sar_wkg": null,
"duration": "60 min/day during gestation period (prenatal exposure)"
},
"population": "Pregnant rats and male rat pups (offspring)",
"sample_size": 42,
"outcomes": [
"Total pyramidal neuron numbers in hippocampus (cornu ammonis, CA)",
"Body weight",
"Brain weight"
],
"main_findings": "Prenatal 900 MHz EMF exposure (60 min/day during gestation) was associated with a significantly lower total number of hippocampal pyramidal cells in the EMF group compared with control, sham, EMF+melatonin, and EMF+omega-3 groups. No differences were observed between groups for body or brain weights.",
"effect_direction": "mixed",
"limitations": [
"Small group sizes (three pregnant rats per group; six male pups per offspring group)",
"Only male offspring were assessed",
"Exposure metric details such as SAR were not reported in the abstract",
"Outcome limited to hippocampal pyramidal cell counts and weights; other neurodevelopmental endpoints not described"
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.74,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"keywords": [
"900 MHz",
"RF-EMF",
"prenatal exposure",
"rat",
"hippocampus",
"pyramidal neurons",
"melatonin",
"omega-3",
"neuroprotection",
"mobile phone"
],
"suggested_hubs": [
{
"slug": "mobile-phones-rf",
"weight": 0.86,
"reason": "Study frames exposure as EMF associated with mobile phone use and uses 900 MHz RF-EMF."
}
]
}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: 10.1080/09553002.2016.1206223
PubMed: 27442260
Related papers
- Melatonin and omega-3 neuroprotection in prenatal rat spinal cord exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic field. 2025
- The effects of different herbals on the rat hippocampus exposed to electromagnetic field for one hour during the prenatal period 2021
- Deleterious impacts of a 900-MHz electromagnetic field on hippocampal pyramidal neurons of 8-week-old Sprague Dawley male rats. 2015
- Effects of prenatal exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on the dentate gyrus of rats: a stereological and histopathological study. 2008
- The neuroprotective effects of baobab and black seed on the rat hippocampus exposed to a 900-MHz 2024
- Pre and postnatal exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields induce inflammation and oxidative stress, and 2023