Prenatal chronic exposure to electromagnetic fields modulated adenosine deaminase activity in serum and brain of Wistar rats’ offspring

Abstract

Considering the importance of the embryonic stage, we investigated the brain and serum ADA of offspring chronically exposed to low and high frequency electromagnetic field (EMF-LF/HF) during their embryonic period. Male and female rats were randomly selected for mating. After mating, the females were divided into four groups. The first group was exposed to extremely EMF-LF (50 Hz) through a solenoid for 30 minutes per day, the second group was constantly exposed to EMF-HF (900 MHz) via a cell phone, the third group (sham) was placed inside solenoid without any exposure, and the last group (control) was placed in their cage. The brain and serum samples of offspring (6 females and 6 males in each group) were collected four weeks after birth. ADA was measured by a specific enzymatic kit and a spectrophotometer. Exposure to EMF-LF (1.5 mT) was significantly increased the brain ADA activity in both male and female offspring. In addition, long-term HF exposure significantly enhanced serum ADA activity in males in compared with control group but, the brain ADA level was increased significantly in both genders(p < 0.01). The present study revealed alterations in the serum and brain ADA following embryonic exposure to HF and ELF. These alterations depended on gender, frequency and wave intensity.