Investigation of fertility and in utero effects in rats chronically exposed to a high-intensity 60-Hz electric field

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · IEEE Trans. Bio-Med. Eng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TBME.1984.325392· OSTI ID:5927901

Seto, Y J; Majeau-Chargois, D; Lymangrover, J R; Dunlap, W P; Walker, C F

A study was undertaken to investigate subtle bioeffects in Sprague-Dawley rats chronically exposed to a 60-Hz electric field at 80 kV/m unperturbed intensity. The details of our exposure facility, artifact considerations, environmental conditions, and exposure protocol are reported in this paper. Results of electric field exposure on reproduction and prenatal and postnatal development of rats over four generations are discussed. Statistical analysis of data from 305 females, 213 pregnancies, and 2683 births revealed no effects of electric field exposure on fertility, fecundity, nurturing, survival, or sex ratio of off-spring. In the final generation, 51 pregnant females were euthanized between days 16 and 20 of gestation, and 681 fetuses were carefully examined for gross malformations. Statistical analysis indicated that exposure to the electric field produced no significant increase in gross malformations, nor were any differences noted in resorptions, orientation of fetus in utero, sex ratio, or differential frequencies of uterine horn implantation. A detailed discussion of statistical power and sensitivity is included.

• Research Organization: Tulane Univ., New Orleans, LA
• OSTI ID: 5927901
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Bio-Med. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Bio-Med. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 31:11; ISSN IEBEA
• 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
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS
DATA
DATA ANALYSIS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
FERTILITY
FETUSES
FREQUENCY RANGE
HZ RANGE
INFORMATION
MALFORMATIONS
MAMMALS
NUMERICAL DATA
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RATS
REPRODUCTION
RODENTS
STATISTICAL DATA
SURVIVAL CURVES
VERTEBRATES