Development of preincubated chicken eggs following exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields with 1.33-7.32 mT flux densities.

Indian journal of experimental biology · 2004 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5214

Study snapshot

PublicationIndian journal of experimental biology · 2004

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The effects of applying extremely low-frequency (50 Hz) electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) for 24 hr and different densities (1.33-7.32 mT) were examined on healthy, freshly fertilized white leghorn chicken eggs (55-65 g). Results showed no increase in the rate of abnormalities in exposed groups, but were only significant in 4.19, 5.32 and 5.86, 6.65 mT densities. Alizarin red S and alcian blue 8GX staining showed some embryos with extra ribs, defects in ribs and vertebrae, anuria and abnormal beaks. Study of egg weight, after 9 days of incubation, showed no significant differences between control, sham-exposed and experimental groups. Analysis of crown-rump, beak-occipital length and weight of embryo, showed significant decrease in weight at 4.39 and 5.52 mT intensities, comparing with control and sham-exposed groups. These results revealed that 50 Hz electromagnetic fields can even induce developmental alterations in preincubated chick embryos and confirm that its strength could be a determinant factor for the embryonic response to extremely low frequency EMFs (window effects) prior to incubation.

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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

PopulationFreshly fertilized white leghorn chicken eggs (55–65 g) / preincubated chick embryos

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 24 hr

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Chicken eggs exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF for 24 hr at 1.33–7.32 mT showed no overall increase in abnormality rate, though significance was reported at some flux densities. Staining identified some embryos with extra ribs, rib/vertebrae defects, anuria, and abnormal beaks. Egg weight after 9 days did not differ between control, sham, and exposed groups, while embryo weight was significantly decreased at 4.39 and 5.52 mT versus control and sham.

Outcomes measured

Embryonic abnormalities (skeletal and other malformations)
Egg weight after 9 days of incubation
Embryo morphometrics (crown-rump length, beak-occipital length)
Embryo weight

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Statistical methods and exact comparisons for abnormality rates are not described in the abstract
Exposure setup details (e.g., field uniformity, orientation) not provided in abstract
Some reported significant effects appear limited to specific flux densities (possible window effects), but details are not fully described

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "24 hr"
  },
  "population": "Freshly fertilized white leghorn chicken eggs (55–65 g) / preincubated chick embryos",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Embryonic abnormalities (skeletal and other malformations)",
    "Egg weight after 9 days of incubation",
    "Embryo morphometrics (crown-rump length, beak-occipital length)",
    "Embryo weight"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Chicken eggs exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF for 24 hr at 1.33–7.32 mT showed no overall increase in abnormality rate, though significance was reported at some flux densities. Staining identified some embryos with extra ribs, rib/vertebrae defects, anuria, and abnormal beaks. Egg weight after 9 days did not differ between control, sham, and exposed groups, while embryo weight was significantly decreased at 4.39 and 5.52 mT versus control and sham.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Statistical methods and exact comparisons for abnormality rates are not described in the abstract",
    "Exposure setup details (e.g., field uniformity, orientation) not provided in abstract",
    "Some reported significant effects appear limited to specific flux densities (possible window effects), but details are not fully described"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "chicken eggs",
    "embryo development",
    "teratogenicity",
    "skeletal abnormalities",
    "flux density",
    "mT",
    "window effects"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Study involves ELF 50 Hz magnetic-field exposure at mT levels, which can be relevant to occupational ELF contexts, though the model is animal/embryo."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 15462177

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