The geomagnetic field: a factor in cellular interactions? I. Magnetism and Schwann cell-axon interaction in the peripheral nerves of the newborn rat.
Axonal ensheathment and myelination, one form of axon-sheath cell interaction, was studied under normal earth magnetism, in the absence of terrestrial magnetic field, and under a 5 G (0.0005 T) magnetic field. Results indicate that the geomagnetic field is necessary for the fundamental biological activity of axonal ensheathment and myelination. The exact mechanism of action remains obscure.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012584:Sciatic Nerve; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve