50-Hz magnetic field (0.1-mT) alters c-fos mRNA expression of early post implantation mouse embryos and serum estradiol levels of gravid mice.
BACKGROUND
We exposed pregnant mice to magnetic or sham fields for 24 hr/day during Gestation Day (GD) 5.5-8.5 to study the effects of 50-Hz 0.1-mT sinusoidal magnetic fields on early pregnancy in mouse embryos and mice.


METHODS
Mice were sacrificed on GD 8.5. Embryos and blood samples were collected. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of embryo c-fos mRNA. The blood samples were tested through radioimmunoassay for serum estradiol levels and general examinations.


RESULTS
We found that the expression of c-fos mRNA of embryos under exposure was enhanced. We reported that 50-Hz 0.1-mT magnetic exposure induced the decline of serum estradiol levels of pregnancy mice on GD 8.5. General examinations of blood including white blood cell (WBC) count, red blood cell (RBC) count, and hemoglobin (HGB) did not show significant differences between the exposure group and the control group (sham exposure).


CONCLUSIONS
Under the experimental conditions, 50-Hz 0.1-mT sinusoidal magnetic fields affected the development of early pregnancy mouse embryos and the dams to some extent.
Shi
Yijun
Y
Bioelectromagnetic Lab, Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Bao
Xiuqi
X
Huo
Xiaolin
X
Shen
Zheng
Z
Song
Tao
T
D000818:Animals; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000528:radiation effects*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011247:Pregnancy; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*
D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004958:Estradiol