0160 The negative effects of electromagnetic field exposure in male New Zealand White rabbits. (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yildiz Gulay, O.; Gulay, M. S.; Balic, A.; Ata, A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of animal science. Volume 94(2016)Supplement 5
• Page Start: 77
• Page End: 78
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: liver enzymes -- histopathology -- EMF; Livestock -- Periodicals; Livestock; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: 10.2527/jam2016-0160
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8812

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of the current study was to understand the possible effects of EMF on liver enzymes and organs of male New Zealand White rabbits under ecological conditions. Rabbits were assigned randomly to 2 treatment groups of 8 each; treatment group (T) was housed directly beneath high voltage power lines (21 μT, 380 kV), whereas controls (C) kept 500 m away from the power lines (0.21 μT) for 7 wk. At the end of 7 wk, blood samples were taken from each rabbit and 4 rabbits per treatment were euthanized. Remaining rabbits were kept in normal laboratory condition for another 7 wk for recovery. The liver enzymes and organ weights were analyzed by Proc T-Test procedure. The exposure to EMF significantly increased the serum γ glutamyltransferase (C = 12.1 ± 1.7 vs. T = 17.2 ± 2.9 IU/l, P < 0.05), alkaline phosphatase (C = 71.7 ± 4.9 vs. T = 84.3 ± 6.2 IU/l, P < 0.05), aspartate aminotransferase (C = 23.5 ± 2.6 vs. T = 31.4 I ± 3.1 IU/l, P < 0.05) and alanine transaminase (C = 35.3 ± 3.8 vs. T = 45.5 ± 5.2 IU/l, P < 0.05) levels. Although liver, kidney, heart, testis and brain weights between groups did not differ, significant histopathological alterations were apparent in the treated animals. Histopathological examination of the liver showed dilated sinusoids, degenerative changes in hepatocytes, moderate fatty vacuolation and infiltration of a small amount of inflammatory cells in the portal area. Hyalinated cylinders in tubule lumens, vacuolated renal tubules and infiltration of leukocytes were seen in the kidney. The decrease in seminiferous tubule diameters in testis, and vacuolation of neurons and focal gliosis in the brain was noted in treated rabbits. However, serum liver enzymes and histopathological lesions were transient and returned to normal by wk 7 of recovery. Therefore, EMF exposure may have an adverse effect on the male rabbits, but this effect was not permanent.