title: Genotoxicity Induced by Foetal and Infant Exposure to Magnetic Fields and Modulation of Ionising Radiation Effects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have investigated the toxicity and genotoxicity of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) during prenatal and neonatal development. These phases of life are characterized by cell proliferation and differentiation, which might make them sensitive to environmental stressors. Although in vitro evidences suggest that ELF-MF may modify the effects of ionizing radiation, no research has been conducted so far in vivo on the genotoxic effects of ELF-MF combined with X-rays.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Aim of this study was to investigate in somatic and germ cells the effects of chronic ELF-MF exposure from mid gestation until weaning, and any possible modulation produced by ELF-MF exposure on ionizing radiation-induced damage. Mice were exposed to 50 Hz, 65 μT magnetic field, 24 hours/day, for a total of 30 days, starting from 12 days post-conception. Another group was irradiated with 1 Gy X-rays immediately before ELF-MF exposure, other groups were only X-irradiated or sham-exposed. Micronucleus test on blood erythrocytes was performed at multiple times from 1 to 140 days after birth. Additionally, 42 days after birth, genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on male germ cells were assessed by comet assay and flow cytometric analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ELF-MF exposure had no teratogenic effect and did not affect survival, growth and development. The micronucleus test indicated that ELF-MF induced a slight genotoxic damage only after the maximum exposure time and that this effect faded away in the months following the end of exposure. ELF-MF had no effects on ionizing radiation (IR)-induced genotoxicity in erythrocytes. Differently, ELF-MF appeared to modulate the response of male germ cells to X-rays with an impact on proliferation/differentiation processes. These results point to the importance of tissue specificity and development on the impact of ELF-MF on the early stages of life and indicate the need of further research on the molecular mechanisms underlying ELF-MF biological effects.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Science, University of Rome "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Ion
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Udroiu
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Science, University of Rome "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antoccia
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Science, University of Rome "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tanzarella
authors.affiliation: Research Center of Monteporzio Catone, INAIL, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Livio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.affiliation: Technical Unit for Radiation Biology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pacchierotti
authors.affiliation: Technical Unit for Radiation Biology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cordelli
authors.affiliation: Technical Unit for Radiation Biology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eleuteri
authors.affiliation: Technical Unit for Radiation Biology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Villani
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Science, University of Rome "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sgura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000528:radiation effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000528:radiation effects; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000528:radiation effects; D060526:Magnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing