Abstract
Epidemiological studies have implicated maternal protein-calorie deficiency as an important public health problem in developing countries. Over the last decades, a remarkable diffusion of electricity and an increased level of the electromagnetic field (EMF) in the environment have characterized modern societies. Therefore, researchers are concerned with the biological effects of 50-60 Hz, EMF. The aim of this paper is to show the effects of EMF of 60 Hz, 3 muT, exposure for two hours per day in the regulation of the hormonal and metabolic concentrations in pregnant rats, which were fed by Regional Basic Diet (RBD) during their pregnancy as compared with pregnant rats fed a standard diet. Pregnant rats exposed to EMF of 60 Hz, 3 muT, over the pregnancy and fed with RBD presented an increase in glucose release when compared with the Group subjected only to the RBD ration. Rats fed RBD presented a decrease in their insulin and cortisol serum levels when compared with the Group fed with casein. The T3 and T4 concentrations presented the greatest variation among the Groups. The relation T4:T3 was much exaggerated in the Group subjected to RDB and exposed to EMF when compared to the others. In conclusion, the group subjected to the association of EMF and undernutrition suffered a decrease in its serum concentration of T4 and T3 when compared to the well-nourished group and the relationship T4:T3 in the former group was almost eighteen-fold the later one.
Highlights
Over the last decades, a remarkable diffusion of electricity and an increased level of electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the environment have characterized our society
Recent epidemiological studies of occupational and residential exposure to EMF are concerned with the biological effects of 50-60 Hz fields, with determining an increase in cancer incidence in individuals exposed to these types of radiation (Galloni and Marino, 2000)
In light of the fact that pregnancy is a period of increased metabolic demands mainly due to changes in the woman’s physiology and the requirements of the growing fetus (King, 2000), resulting in the deficiency of micronutrients having a detrimental effect on the health of both pregnant women and the growing foetus (Priyali et al, 2004), the aim of this paper is to show the effects of EMF of 60 Hz, 3 μT, in the regulation of the hormonal and metabolic concentrations in pregnant rats, which were fed Regional Basic Diet (RBD) during their pregnancy as compared with pregnant rats fed a standard diet
Summary
A remarkable diffusion of electricity and an increased level of electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the environment have characterized our society. Recent epidemiological studies of occupational and residential exposure to EMF are concerned with the biological effects of 50-60 Hz fields (extremely low frequencies or ELF), with determining an increase in cancer incidence in individuals exposed to these types of radiation (Galloni and Marino, 2000). A milestone in epidemiological research on ELF is the study of Wertheimer and Leeper (1979): it links the presence of power lines (60 Hz) near homes with the development of childhood leukaemia in Colorado, USA. The main efforts of researchers have been focused on the possible link between electromagnetic fields and cancer development; different endpoints have been assessed (Galloni and Marino, 2000). The ELF field influences pineal gland activity and decreased melatonin production (Ubeda et al, 1995). The pineal gland converts the environmental photic, thermic and magnetic signals into information that affects the neuroendocrine system (Jankovic et al, 1993)
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