EFFECTS OF LOW FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS ON SOME INTERNAL ORGANS IN MICE

Various sources of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELFEMF) are encountered as household objects or as occupational devices. The EMF has proved to be biologically active although the exact mechanism is not yet well known. This study aimed to explore the structural changes in the liver, spleen, bone marrow and kidneys of mice exposed over three weeks (group 2) or six weeks (group 3) to 20 mT-50 Hz EMF for two hours daily. It was found, only in mice exposed for six weeks, an increase in the weight of both liver and spleen, which was significantly different from controls (group 1). However, the weight of the kidneys was non-significantly affected in both groups. In group (2), the hepatocytes showed marked degeneration with compensatory cell division and regeneration. Increased activity of hematopoiesis was seen in the spleen which may compensate the hypo cellularity observed in the bone marrow. The kidneys were slightly affected with vacuolation in the tubules but with normal glomeruli. The group (3) was appeared to be more affected with evident hematopoietic changes in the liver. Also, thrombus formation was seen in radicals of hepatic artery. The spleen showed increased cell density especially in the lymphatic follicle with central necrosis and deposition of fibrinoid materials. In the bone marrow, marked hypo cellularity was seen with increased fat cells. The kidneys were more affected and the tubules had flattened epithelium and contained acidophilic cast. From the present study, it is possible to conclude that the high intensity of ELFEMF induced degenerative effects on the different organs of the body, which were more pronounced with increased duration of exposure