Determination of the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on the percentages of peripheral blood leukocytes and histology of lymphoid organs of the mouse.

Saudi medical journal · 2008 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 5032

Mice exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF at 1–5 microT (rms) for 40 days showed no effect on relative spleen weight, lymphoid organ histology, or lymphocyte/monocyte/ANAE-positive lymphocyte ratios. Neutrophil and basophil percentages changed non-linearly, but the concl…

Study snapshot

PublicationSaudi medical journal · 2008

Study typeanimal

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of very weak, extremely low frequency (50 Hz) electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on the relative spleen weight, lymphoid organ histology, peripheral blood leukocyte and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase positive (ANAE- positive) lymphocyte percentages of the mouse. METHODS: The study was carried out in Scientific Research and Application Center of Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey in 2005. A total of 120 Swiss albino mice were divided into 6 groups (20 in each group). The experimental animals were exposed to 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 microT flux intensities (rms) of EMF at 50 Hz for 40 days. RESULTS: In the exposure groups with 20 animals, the body weight (BW) increased gradually in higher field intensities and reached at peak level in the 4 microT, and then slightly decreased. The relative spleen weight (% of the BW) was not affected. The ELF-EMF treatment did not cause any significant change in lymphocyte, monocyte and ANAE-positive lymphocyte ratios, whereas percentages of neutrophils and basophiles changed non-linearly. Any change in the lymphoid organ histology, which is attributable to the field effect, was not observed in the exposure groups. CONCLUSION: Extremely low frequency-EMF exposure with the flux intensities between 1-5 microT for 40 days did not cause any effect on the relative spleen weight, lymphoid organ histology, leukocyte and ANAE-positive lymphocyte percentages of the mouse.

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 directionno_effect

PopulationSwiss albino mice

Sample size120

ExposureELF · 5e-05 MHz · 40 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Relative spleen weight
Lymphoid organ histology
Peripheral blood leukocyte percentages (lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, basophils)
ANAE-positive lymphocyte percentage
Body weight

Limitations

Exposure source/setup details not described in the abstract (e.g., coil type, field uniformity, sham exposure).
Statistical methods and exact results (effect sizes, p-values) not provided in the abstract.
Only one species/strain and one exposure duration (40 days) assessed.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 5e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "40 days"
  },
  "population": "Swiss albino mice",
  "sample_size": 120,
  "outcomes": [
    "Relative spleen weight",
    "Lymphoid organ histology",
    "Peripheral blood leukocyte percentages (lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, basophils)",
    "ANAE-positive lymphocyte percentage",
    "Body weight"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Mice exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF at 1–5 microT (rms) for 40 days showed no effect on relative spleen weight, lymphoid organ histology, or lymphocyte/monocyte/ANAE-positive lymphocyte ratios. Neutrophil and basophil percentages changed non-linearly, but the conclusion states no overall effect on leukocyte percentages.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure source/setup details not described in the abstract (e.g., coil type, field uniformity, sham exposure).",
    "Statistical methods and exact results (effect sizes, p-values) not provided in the abstract.",
    "Only one species/strain and one exposure duration (40 days) assessed."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "microtesla",
    "mouse",
    "spleen weight",
    "lymphoid organs",
    "histology",
    "leukocytes",
    "ANAE-positive lymphocytes"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.25,
      "reason": "ELF 50 Hz exposure at microtesla levels may be relevant to occupational/environmental ELF contexts, though no specific setting is stated."
    }
  ]
}

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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: Not supplied
PubMed: 18176671

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