Effects of Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field on Morris Learning and Memory Among Rats / 环境与健康杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the effects of short-term and long-term exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic field(ELFEMF)on Morris learning and memory among rats. Methods Both younger(2-3 months old)and adult(18 months old)male SD rats were exposed to 50 Hz uniform ELFEMF with continuously adjusted intensities(0.1,1.2,1.6 mT) developed by Helmholtz coil pair for 10 days to 8 months. The levels of escape latency and the crossing annulus coefficients reflecting the behavioral changes in place navigation ability and spatial probe ability were examined by Morris water maze after exposure to ELFEMF among rats. Results The escape latency was shortened and the crossing annulus coefficients were increased compared with those of control group when the younger rats were exposed to 0.1,1.2 and 1.6 mT ELFEMF for 10 days respectively,and only revealed significant differences in 1.2 and 1.6 mT ELFEMF exposure groups compared with those of control group. In the younger rats of 1.6 mT ELFEMF exposure group with 10-day exposure ,their escape latencies were prolonged and the crossing annulus coefficients were decreased gradually and showed no significant differences compared with those of control group after the 30-day blank exposure period without ELFEMF.The younger rats of 1.2 mT ELFEMF exposure group showed significantly longer escape latency and lower crossing annulus coefficient compared those of control group after continuous 90-day exposure to 1.2 mT ELFEMF. The escape latency of adult rats in 0.1 mT ELFEMF exposure group showed no significant difference after 10-day exposure,was prolonged after 4-month exposure,and was significantly prolonged further more after 8-month exposure. Conclusion The learning and memory ability could be promoted by short-term ELFEMF exposure and impaired by long-term ELFEMF exposure for the young rats,and could be obviously inhibited by long-term ELFEMF exposure for the adult rats.