Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on turkeys.

Poultry science · 2018 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5562

Study snapshot

PublicationPoultry science · 2018

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Several studies have examined the potential biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on birds; however, little attention has been paid to the extremely low frequency (ELF; 0-300 Hz; 0-50 μT) radiation found in an urbanized environment. For monitoring the effects of ELF EMF, we used a turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) model, because the nucleated erythrocytes of turkeys contain β-adrenoceptors, and norepinephrine- (NE-) activated β-adrenoceptors have an important role in physiological and behavioral processes. Our aims were the following: 1) to investigate the intracellular mechanisms; 2) to compare the intracellular mechanisms in the treated and control groups over time, considering inter-individual differences and intra-subject correlations; 3) and to study the reversible nature of the response. The turkeys in the treatment group were treated in vivo with ELF EMF (50 Hz; 10 μT) for 3 wk after a 1-wk-long adaptation period. The animals were not exposed to ELF EMF during the regeneration period (5 wk following the exposure). The NE-activated β-adrenoceptor function was detected by measuring the amount of 3΄5΄-cyclic-adenosine-monophosphate (cAMP), and the biochemical enzyme parameters were defined. Repeated measurements of cAMP levels were analyzed using marginal models and a piecewise linear mixed model to compare treatment and control groups over time. According to our results, NE-activated β-adrenoceptor function was decreased in the treated birds in a time-dependent manner, while there were no differences between toxicological parameters in the serum, compared to the normal ranges. The decreased NE-dependent β-adrenoceptor function could be compensated by the homeostatic complex during the 5-wk regeneration period. Extended experimental periods and more sophisticated analysis methods may help prevent harmful environmental effects on birds; furthermore, these findings could affect public health and the economy.

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

PopulationTurkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 50 Hz, 10 μT exposure for 3 weeks (after 1-week adaptation); 5-week post-exposure regeneration period without exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Turkeys exposed in vivo to ELF EMF (50 Hz; 10 μT) for 3 weeks showed a time-dependent decrease in norepinephrine-activated β-adrenoceptor function as assessed by cAMP levels. Serum toxicological parameters showed no differences compared to normal ranges, and the decreased β-adrenoceptor function appeared to be compensated during the 5-week regeneration period without exposure.

Outcomes measured

NE-activated β-adrenoceptor function (cAMP levels)
Serum toxicological/biochemical enzyme parameters

Limitations

Sample size not reported in the abstract
Details of exposure setup and control conditions not described in the abstract
Specific biochemical/toxicological parameters and statistical results (effect sizes, CIs) not provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "urbanized environment (modeled exposure)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "50 Hz, 10 μT exposure for 3 weeks (after 1-week adaptation); 5-week post-exposure regeneration period without exposure"
  },
  "population": "Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "NE-activated β-adrenoceptor function (cAMP levels)",
    "Serum toxicological/biochemical enzyme parameters"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Turkeys exposed in vivo to ELF EMF (50 Hz; 10 μT) for 3 weeks showed a time-dependent decrease in norepinephrine-activated β-adrenoceptor function as assessed by cAMP levels. Serum toxicological parameters showed no differences compared to normal ranges, and the decreased β-adrenoceptor function appeared to be compensated during the 5-week regeneration period without exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Details of exposure setup and control conditions not described in the abstract",
    "Specific biochemical/toxicological parameters and statistical results (effect sizes, CIs) not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "10 μT",
    "turkey",
    "Meleagris gallopavo",
    "β-adrenoceptor",
    "norepinephrine",
    "cAMP",
    "regeneration period",
    "biochemical parameters"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "In vivo turkey model examining biological effects of ELF EMF exposure."
    },
    {
      "slug": "elf-emf",
      "weight": 0.85,
      "reason": "Exposure explicitly described as extremely low frequency (50 Hz) electromagnetic fields."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3382/ps/pex304
PubMed: 29077912

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