Biological effects of continuous exposure of embryos and young chickens to electromagnetic fields emitted by video display units.

Bioelectromagnetics · 1997 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 5408

Across three independent experiments, constant exposure to EMFs emitted by video display units (TV or computer) was associated with significantly increased fetal loss (47–68%) compared with sham exposure (10–33%). Exposed young chickens also showed markedly d…

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 1997

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The effects of continuous exposure of embryos and young chickens to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by video display units (VDUs) were investigated. Embryos and brood were continuously exposed during embryonic and postembryonic phases to EMFs emitted by two types of VDU (TV or computer). Embryonic mortality was evaluated in three independent experiments. Young chickens were immunized three times by porcine thyroglobulin (Tg). Blood samples were assayed after each immunization for specific anti-Tg antibodies (IgG), plasma corticosterone (CORT), and plasma melatonin (MLT). In the sham-exposed samples, embryonic death (10-33%) was restricted to the perinatal period and the IgG, CORT, and MLT responses of young chickens crested after the second immunization. Constant EMF exposure was accompanied by significantly increased fetal loss (47-68%) and markedly depressed levels of circulating anti-Tg IgG, CORT, and MLT. Collectively, these findings indicate that continuous exposure to EMFs, issuing from VDUs, adversely affects embryos and young chickens.

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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 directionharm

Populationembryos and young chickens

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposurecontinuous exposure during embryonic and postembryonic phases

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

embryonic mortality/fetal loss
anti-porcine thyroglobulin (Tg) IgG antibody levels
plasma corticosterone (CORT)
plasma melatonin (MLT)

Limitations

EMF characteristics (e.g., frequency, field strength, SAR) not reported in the abstract
Sample size not reported in the abstract
Details of randomization/blinding and exposure assessment not described in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "video display units (TV or computer)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "continuous exposure during embryonic and postembryonic phases"
  },
  "population": "embryos and young chickens",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "embryonic mortality/fetal loss",
    "anti-porcine thyroglobulin (Tg) IgG antibody levels",
    "plasma corticosterone (CORT)",
    "plasma melatonin (MLT)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Across three independent experiments, constant exposure to EMFs emitted by video display units (TV or computer) was associated with significantly increased fetal loss (47–68%) compared with sham exposure (10–33%). Exposed young chickens also showed markedly depressed circulating anti-Tg IgG, corticosterone, and melatonin levels relative to sham-exposed samples.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "EMF characteristics (e.g., frequency, field strength, SAR) not reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Details of randomization/blinding and exposure assessment not described in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "video display units",
    "TV",
    "computer",
    "continuous exposure",
    "embryo",
    "chicken",
    "embryonic mortality",
    "fetal loss",
    "immunization",
    "IgG",
    "corticosterone",
    "melatonin"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.32,
      "reason": "Exposure source is video display units, which can relate to workplace/occupational settings, though the study is in animals."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 9338633

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