[Effects of infrasound on visual electrophysiology in mice].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible effects of infrasound on visual functions.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty mature male Kunming-mice were divided into 5 groups, in which one was control and the other four were exposed to infrasound of 8 Hz, 90 dB; 8 Hz, 130 dB; 16 Hz, 90 dB and 16 Hz, 130 dB 2 h/d respectively. The exposure time for them were 0, 1, 4, 7, 14 and 21 d respectively, each group was divided into 6 sub-groups. Electroretinogram (ERG), oscillatory potentials (OPs), and visual evoked potential (VEP) were recorded after exposure.


RESULTS
The visual electrophysiological indices after 8 Hz, 90 dB and 16 Hz, 90 dB exposures were similar except for a little difference at some temporal points (P<0.05). Most of the indices in 8 Hz, 130 dB group changed after 7 d exposure, and the longer the exposure, the more obvious changes were observed (P<0.01). The indices in 16 Hz, 130 dB group changed obviously after 1 d and reversed with increase of exposure time (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of infrasound on visual functions are related to its frequency and intensity. Infrasound of different frequencies causes different levels of retinal resonance, which leads to different degrees of cellular lesion and produces different electrical potentials.
Shi
Li
L
Department of Clinical Aerospace Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
Zhang
Zuo-ming
ZM
Chen
Jing-zao
JZ
Liu
Jing
J
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004596:Electroretinography; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011571:Psychoacoustics; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*; D013016:Sound; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*