Growth and metabolism of rodents exposed to 60-Hz electric fields

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.2250020409· OSTI ID:5399893

Hilton, D I; Phillips, R D

There have been a number of reports in the literature concerning growth-related changes in various animal species exposed to high-strength electric fields. Many of the laboratories reporting such effects have not documented and controlled for the secondary factors that are associated with generating high-strength electric fields (ie, corona, ozone, harmonic distortion, cage vibration, spark discharge). We have designed an exposure system in which we eliminated or minimized these secondary factors, therefore enabling us to examine only the effects of electric fields per se. Sprague-Dawley rats and Swiss-Webster mice were exposed to 60-Hz electric fields at kV/m for up to four months. In 17 individual experiments, we found a greater number of experiments in which the exposed rats had lower body weights than controls. This trend was not evident in data obtained from 14 individual mouse experiments. In more exhaustive growth studies, we found no significant differences in body weights, organ weights, or O/sub 2/ consumption between exposed and sham-exposed controls. Our failure to detect any major changes in growth was probably the result of eliminating or minimizing the secondary factors associated with electric field exposure.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-06-1830
• OSTI ID: 5399893
• Journal Information: Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States) Vol. 2; ISSN BLCTD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560400* -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
EXPOSURE CHAMBERS
GROWTH
MAMMALS
METABOLISM
MICE
OZONE
RATS
RESPIRATION
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES