ABSTRACT
This work was dedicated to study the effects of long term exposure to time varying extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on some neuroepithelial structures in the inner ear of rats. This work was conducted on 15 male adult albino rats, 5 rats were sham exposed and served as normal controls and 10 rats were exposed to time varying electromagnetic field of extremely low frequency [50 Hz] and 10-mT flux density for one hour daily, for 30 days. By the end of the experiment animals were anesthetized, perfused with the proper fixative then decapitated. The inner ears were reperfused and the temporal bones obtained. The specimens were put in a decalcifying agent for about 5 days. The specimens were prepared for either histological or scanning electron microscopical study. The present study revealed histological changes in all experimental specimens examined. The cochlea showed variable degrees of affection ranging from of cytoplasmic vacuolation of some supporting cells, to complete destruction of the organ of Corti. Stria vascularis showed atrophied lining cells. Spiral ganglionic cells appeared swollen with karyolitic nuclei. Vestibular neuroepithelial structures revealed milder response in the form of cytoplasmic vacuolation of both hair cells and supporting cells. From the previous results it could be concluded that long-term exposure to 10-mT extremely low frequency time varying electromagnetic field caused degenerative changes in the neuroepithelial structures of rat's inner ear