Effects of the electromagnetic field, 60 Hz, 3 microT, on the hormonal and metabolic regulation of undernourished pregnant rats.

Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia · 2009 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4944

Study snapshot

PublicationBrazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia · 2009

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have implicated maternal protein-calorie deficiency as an important public health problem in developing countries. Over the last decades, a remarkable diffusion of electricity and an increased level of the electromagnetic field (EMF) in the environment have characterized modern societies. Therefore, researchers are concerned with the biological effects of 50-60 Hz, EMF. The aim of this paper is to show the effects of EMF of 60 Hz, 3 muT, exposure for two hours per day in the regulation of the hormonal and metabolic concentrations in pregnant rats, which were fed by Regional Basic Diet (RBD) during their pregnancy as compared with pregnant rats fed a standard diet. Pregnant rats exposed to EMF of 60 Hz, 3 muT, over the pregnancy and fed with RBD presented an increase in glucose release when compared with the Group subjected only to the RBD ration. Rats fed RBD presented a decrease in their insulin and cortisol serum levels when compared with the Group fed with casein. The T3 and T4 concentrations presented the greatest variation among the Groups. The relation T4:T3 was much exaggerated in the Group subjected to RDB and exposed to EMF when compared to the others. In conclusion, the group subjected to the association of EMF and undernutrition suffered a decrease in its serum concentration of T4 and T3 when compared to the well-nourished group and the relationship T4:T3 in the former group was almost eighteen-fold the later one.

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 directionmixed

PopulationUndernourished pregnant rats (Regional Basic Diet) compared with pregnant rats fed a standard diet

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.06 MHz · 2 hours/day over pregnancy

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Pregnant rats fed a Regional Basic Diet (RBD) and exposed to 60 Hz, 3 µT EMF for 2 hours/day over pregnancy showed increased glucose release compared with rats subjected only to RBD. The association of EMF exposure and undernutrition was associated with decreased serum T4 and T3 compared with the well-nourished group, and an exaggerated T4:T3 ratio (reported as almost eighteen-fold higher than the well-nourished group).

Outcomes measured

Glucose release
Serum insulin
Serum cortisol
Serum T3
Serum T4
T4:T3 ratio

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure source and exposure assessment details not described beyond frequency, intensity, and daily duration
Unclear statistical methods/significance reporting in abstract
Findings involve combined effects of undernutrition and EMF, making EMF-only effects difficult to isolate

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.06,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 hours/day over pregnancy"
  },
  "population": "Undernourished pregnant rats (Regional Basic Diet) compared with pregnant rats fed a standard diet",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Glucose release",
    "Serum insulin",
    "Serum cortisol",
    "Serum T3",
    "Serum T4",
    "T4:T3 ratio"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Pregnant rats fed a Regional Basic Diet (RBD) and exposed to 60 Hz, 3 µT EMF for 2 hours/day over pregnancy showed increased glucose release compared with rats subjected only to RBD. The association of EMF exposure and undernutrition was associated with decreased serum T4 and T3 compared with the well-nourished group, and an exaggerated T4:T3 ratio (reported as almost eighteen-fold higher than the well-nourished group).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure source and exposure assessment details not described beyond frequency, intensity, and daily duration",
    "Unclear statistical methods/significance reporting in abstract",
    "Findings involve combined effects of undernutrition and EMF, making EMF-only effects difficult to isolate"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF EMF",
    "60 Hz",
    "3 µT",
    "pregnancy",
    "rats",
    "undernutrition",
    "Regional Basic Diet",
    "glucose",
    "insulin",
    "cortisol",
    "thyroid hormones",
    "T3",
    "T4",
    "T4:T3 ratio"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Experimental study in pregnant rats assessing hormonal/metabolic outcomes under ELF EMF exposure."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1590/s1519-69842009000200024
PubMed: 19675945

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