To what extent are orally ingested nanoplastics toxic to the hippocampus in young adult rats?

As the use of plastic-containing materials in our daily lives becomes increasingly common, exposure to nanoplastics accordingly becomes inevitable. Micro and nanoplastics released from large amounts of plastic waste constitute a serious environmental problem. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of polystyrene nanoplastic (PS-NP) on the hippocampus. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty Wistar albino rats, 15 male and 15 female, aged 6-8 weeks, were used in the research. These were randomly divided into three groups of five males and five females each. A five-minute open field test was applied to all rats on the first and last days of the study. Three groups of rats (Control, NP1 and NP2) received the standard chow and water. Additionally, rats in the first neoplastic group (NP1) received 25 mg/kg PS-NP and rats in the second nanoplastic group (NP2) received 50 mg/kg PS-NP, at the same time each day by oral gavage. The rats were sacrificed under deep anesthesia at the end of four weeks. The hippocampi were removed and subjected to histopathological and biochemical analyses. RESULTS: Green fluorescent dots were detected in the hippocampi of both dose groups receiving nanoplastics (NPs) administered orally to female and male rats. Histopathological examination revealed neuronal degeneration in the hippocampi of male and female rats from both dose groups. However, while no significant difference was observed among the groups in terms of changes in antioxidant enzyme values and open-field test data in male rats, significant differences in peroxidase (POD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) values and fecal boli and grooming numbers were determined in female rats exposed to NPs. In conclusion, exposure to NP substances extend as far as the hippocampus, causing neuronal damage and behavioral problems.

Does isotretinoin affect spermatogenesis in the long term? A rat model.

OBJECTIVES: Spermatogenesis, in which cell regeneration continues, can be affected by environmental, chemical, psychological factors or various diseases. There is conflicting information in the literature about the effect of isotretinoin, which is widely used in acne treatment, on testes and spermatogenesis. Therefore, we planned a rat study to evaluate the long-term efficacy of oral isotretinoin on testicular tissues and spermatogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Group 1 (n = 6) 7.5 mg/kg/day and the Group 2 (n = 6) received isotretinoin at a dose of 30 mg/kg/day dissolved in sunflower oil, the Sham Group (n = 6) received only sunflower oil by gavage, and the control group (n = 6) received standard feed and water for four weeks. After the 4th week, all animals were fed with standard feed and water and followed for the next four weeks. At the end of the 8th week, all animals were sacrificed under deep anesthesia. Seminiferous tubule diameters, epithelial thickness, apoptotic index, sperm number and motility recorded Results: Sperm count, motility, vitality, diameter of seminiferous tubule and germinal epithelium thickness were decreased and apoptotic index increased in the groups received isotretinoin. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of testosterone levels. CONCLUSIONS: We consider that further comprehensive studies, including human clinical trials, should be conducted to examine the negative effects of isotretinoin on spermatogenesis in the long term especially when there is a need using isotretinoin in men for various reasons and to eliminate the contradictions in the literature in this regard.

Fluorescent and Biocompatible Nitrogen and Sulfur Co-Doped Carbon Nanodot as an Ocular Fundus Angiography Imaging Agent.

The florescence characteristics and the toxicities of carbon nanodots (CDs) are directly related to their elemental compositions. Fluorescent and non-toxic agent for imaging of biological systems was aimed. Sulfur and nitrogen co-doped CDs (S/N-CDs) was hydrothermally produced in an average size of 8 nm. S/N-CDs showed blue fluorescence under UV-light with an excitation wavelength of 365 nm. After 24 h, S/N-CDs was non-cytotoxic in HUVEC and L929 cells. S/N-CDs have a great potential to act as an alternative material for commercial fluorescent materials with its 85.5% of quantum yield. S/N-CDs was approved in vitro as an imaging agent for an ocular fundus angiography of rats.

Sex-dependent colonic microbiota modulation by hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) dietary fiber.

Although many efforts have been made to characterize the functional properties of hazelnut constituents (mainly its oil, protein, and phenolics), those of its dietary fiber (DF) have not been elucidated yet. Here, we aimed to investigate the impact of DF of natural and roasted hazelnuts, and hazelnut skin on the colonic microbiota in vivo (C57BL/6J mouse models) by determining their composition through 16S rRNA sequencing and microbial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) using gas chromatography. Our results revealed that hazelnut DF generally showed an acetogenic effect in male mice, whereas the same trend was not observed in the female counterparts. The 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that hazelnut DF, especially that of natural hazelnuts, increased the relative abundances of Lactobacillus-related OTUs that have probiotic potential. LEfSe analysis indicated that, for female mice, Lachnospiraceae, Prevotella, Ruminococcaceae, and Lactobacillus were found to be discriminators for DF of natural hazelnuts, roasted hazelnuts, hazelnut skin, and control, respectively, whereas Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Prevotella, and Lactococcus were the discriminators for the male counterparts, respectively. This study clearly indicates that, although the roasting process slightly alters the functionalities, hazelnut DF favors beneficial microbes and stimulates beneficial microbial metabolites in the colon in a sex-dependent way, which could be a contributing factor to the health-promoting effects of hazelnuts. Furthermore, hazelnut skin, a byproduct of the hazelnut industry, was found to have potential to be utilized to produce functional DF targeting colonic health.

An atypical anatomical variation of the petrosphenoidal ligament in a newborn cadaver.

PURPOSE: To report an atypical anatomical variation of the petrosphenoidal ligament in a newborn cadaver and to discuss its clinical significance. METHODS: During a study of ten newborn cadavers, the skull base was dissected to reveal the anatomy of the petrosphenoidal ligament and its relationship with the abducens nerve. An atypical anatomical variation was observed, and this is described. The length of the right and left ligaments to the point where it splits into two arms, the joint length of the two ligaments at the junction of the clivus, the length of the ligament proceeding to the posterior clinoid process, and the abducens nerve's diameter as it passes below the ligament were measured on ImageJ software. RESULTS: The petrosphenoidal ligaments were y-shaped, and the attachment of the proximal ligaments was bifid. In the midline above the clivus, some ligament bundles joined the contralateral petrosphenoidal ligament, whilst another group of bundles originated at the posterior clinoid process. At the entry to Dorello's canal, the abducens nerve had a diameter of 0.59 mm on the left and 0.65 mm on the right. The part of the ligaments converging on the clivus in the midline after dividing into two arms was 10.68 mm. CONCLUSIONS: We think that this case report will provide useful information for surgical procedures to the petroclival region, transnasal surgical approaches, and surgical interventions involving the carotid artery.

Impressions of the chronic 900-MHz electromagnetic field in the prenatal period on Purkinje cells in male rat pup cerebella: is it worth mentioning?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the changes on the Purkinje cells in the cerebella of male rat pups born to pregnant dams that were exposed to an electromagnetic field in the prenatal period. METHODS: The first stage of the study involved 12 Sprague-Dawley rats, 6 male and 6 female, weighing between 180 and 250 g. The female rats in the experimental group were exposed to a 900-MHz electromagnetic field for 1 h at the same time every day, and no procedure was performed on the control group. Following pregnancy, six male pups from each group were divided into experimental and control groups without any procedure on the pups. After 2 months, they were sacrificed and their cerebella were removed. Histopathologically, following routine processing and fixation procedures, the cerebella were embedded in the tissue blocks. The sections taken from these blocks were stained with cresyl violet. The Purkinje cells in the cerebella were then counted on sections using the optical dissector method on an image analysis system. RESULTS: The estimation of number of the Purkinje cells in the groups revealed more cells in rats in the control group than in the experimental group. Histopathologically, Purkinje cells exhibited a normal morphological structure in the control group, while the cells in the experimental group showed damage. CONCLUSIONS: It might be asserted that the exposure of mothers to an electromagnetic field in the prenatal period may affect the development of Purkinje cells in the pup cerebella.

Impressions of the chronic 900-MHz electromagnetic field in the prenatal period on Purkinje cells in male rat pup cerebella: is it worth mentioning?

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the changes on the Purkinje cells in the cerebella of male rat pups born to pregnant dams that were exposed to an electromagnetic field in the prenatal period. METHODS: The first stage of the study involved 12 Sprague-Dawley rats, 6 male and 6 female, weighing between 180 and 250 g. The female rats in the experimental group were exposed to a 900-MHz electromagnetic field for 1 h at the same time every day, and no procedure was performed on the control group. Following pregnancy, six male pups from each group were divided into experimental and control groups without any procedure on the pups. After 2 months, they were sacrificed and their cerebella were removed. Histopathologically, following routine processing and fixation procedures, the cerebella were embedded in the tissue blocks. The sections taken from these blocks were stained with cresyl violet. The Purkinje cells in the cerebella were then counted on sections using the optical dissector method on an image analysis system. RESULTS: The estimation of number of the Purkinje cells in the groups revealed more cells in rats in the control group than in the experimental group. Histopathologically, Purkinje cells exhibited a normal morphological structure in the control group, while the cells in the experimental group showed damage. CONCLUSIONS: It might be asserted that the exposure of mothers to an electromagnetic field in the prenatal period may affect the development of Purkinje cells in the pup cerebella.

Effect of the prenatal electromagnetic field exposure on cochlear nucleus neurons and oligodendrocytes in rats.

Electromagnetic radiation from elecromagnetic field (EMF) sources has been an important health concern for a long time. The vast majority of this exposure is due to the widespread use of mobile phones, an important source of the EMF. The EMF generated by mobile phones may have adverse effects on the various biological structures that regulate the body system and function. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate histopathologically the effects of 900-megahertz (MHz) EMF application in the prenatal period on the development of the ventral cochlear nucleus, which is the first place of hearing in the brainstem, at various time points of the postnatal period in rats. In the study, Sprague-Dawley pregnant rats were divided randomly into two groups as the control group and the EMF group. The rats in the EMF group were exposed to a 900-MHz EMF every day until birth, while no EMF was applied to the rats in the control group. Auditory brainstem responses of both groups were recorded on the postnatal 13th day, the day the hearing starts. Newborn rats were sacrificed by anesthesia on days 7, 10, 15, and 30. Contrary to the control group, structural damage in cochlear nuclear neurons and oligodendrocyte cell structures and increased caspase-3 activity were observed in the postnatal period in the EMF groups. However, no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of structural damage and caspase-3 activity at different stages of the postnatal period when cochlear nucleus development was observed. According to ABS, there was no significant difference between the average latency of waves in both groups. In conclusion, this study shows that 900-MHz electromagnetic waves propagated from mobile phones during the prenatal period have no harmful effects on the development of the ventral cochlear nucleus of rats.

Effect of clival bone growth on the localization of the abducens nerve at the petroclival region: a postmortem anatomical study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of the clival bone pattern on the abducens nerve (AN) localization in the petroclival region between the Pediatric and Adult Groups. METHODS: This study used 12 pediatric and 17 adult heads obtained from the autopsy. The length and width of the clivus and the length of the petrosphenoidal ligaments (PSLs) were measured. The ratio of the length and width of the clivus was accepted as the clival index (CI). The localization of the AN at the petroclival region below the PSL, classified as lateral and medial, were recorded. RESULTS: The average length of the clivus was 26.92 ± 2.88 mm in the Pediatric Group, and 40.66 ± 4.17 mm in the Adult Group (p < 0.001). The average width of the clivus was 22.35 ± 2.88 mm in the Pediatric Group, and 29.96 ± 3.86 mm in the Adult Group (p < 0.001). The average value of the CI was 1.20 in the Pediatric Group and 1.36 in the Adult Group (p = 0.003). The length of the PSL was 7.0 ± 1.47 mm in the Pediatric Group and 11.05 ± 2.95 mm in the Adult Group (p < 0.001). The nerve was located below the medial side of the PSL in the Pediatric Group and below the lateral side in the Adult Group (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The petrous apex localization of the AN in adults compared with pediatric subjects could be related to the increased growth in the length of the clivus than its width.

Relationship between subarachnoid and central canal hemorrhage and spasticity: A first experimental study.

Objective: Spastic disorders are considered as important cerebral complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, there has been no research concerning the pathophysiological mechanism of its link with the spinal cord. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between the development of spasticity and neuronal degeneration after SAH and increase in spinal cord pressure after central canal hemorrhage (CCH).Participants: Twenty-three rabbits were included.Outcome measures: Of all rabbits, 5, 5, and 13 were allocated in the control, SHAM and study groups, respectively. Moreover, 1 cc of saline and 1 cc of autologous arterial blood were injected into the cisterna magna of the SHAM and study groups, respectively. The Muscle spasticity tension values (MSTVs) were determined according to the modified Ashworth scale. Degenerated neuron densities (DND) in the gray matter (GM) of each animal's spinal cord were stereologically calculated.Results: The average MSTV of each group was as follows: control group (n = 5) 2; SHAM group (n = 5) 3-5; and study group (n = 13) 8-10. The DND values of the spinal cord of each group were as follows: control group, 2 ± 1/mm3; SHAM group, 12 ± 3/mm3; and study group, 34 ± 9/mm3. Results showed an important linear relationship between the MSTVs and the DND of the spinal cord (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Spasticity may be attributed to other causes such as ischemic neurodegenerative process that develops after spinal SAH and the de-synchronization of the flexor-extensor muscles due to the spontaneous discharge of interneuronal structures, which are crossed within the spinal cord owing to the build-up of pressure after CCH.

Tranexamic acid has positive effect in early period of tendon healing by stimulating the tumor necrosis factor-alpha and matrix metalloproteinase-3 expression levels.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) application in tendon healing by using its immunohistochemical effects on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) expression; and to identify if TNF-α, MMP-3, and TGF-ß can be used to monitor and evaluate tendon healing or not in tenotomized rat Achilles tendons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve male Wistar-Albino rats (age 6-7-month-old; weighing 300-350 g) were used in this retrospective study conducted between November 2016 and May 2017. The rats were divided into two groups with similar weights. The right legs of the rats were determined as the study group (TXA), and the left legs as the control serum physiologic (SP) group. Under anesthesia, bilateral Achilles tenotomy was performed and surgically repaired. 1 mL of TXA was applied locally for the right side and 1 mL of SP was locally applied for the left side. Half of the rats were sacrificed at the third week (right leg-TXA3, left leg-SP3) and the other half at sixth week (right leg-TXA6, left leg-SP6) and tendon samples were taken from the extremities. Immunohistochemical findings of TNF-α, MMP-3, and TGF-ß were evaluated on the basis of the frequency and intensity of staining. RESULTS: In TNF-α and MMP-3 and TXA groups, there was a significant difference in staining compared to SP groups (p<0.05). Regarding TNF-α expression, the total index score in the TXA6 subgroup was higher than the TXA3, SP6, and SP3 subgroups (8, 7, 3, and 4, respectively). Overall scores of TNF-α showed that TXA groups had significantly higher scores when compared to SP groups (p<0.05). In addition, total MMP-3 expression scores were significantly higher in TXA groups than in SP groups, respectively; TXA3: 14, TXA6: 11, SP3: 10, and SP6: 9 (p<0.05). However, the degree of staining with TNF-α was found to be significantly lower than MMP-3 (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical reactivity was not observed with TGF-ß. CONCLUSION: Tranexamic acid has positive effect in early period of tendon healing by stimulating the TNF-α and MMP-3 expression levels. TNF-α and MMP-3 can be used to monitor and evaluate tendon healing.

Comparison of Thalamus Volume on Magnetic Resonance and Cadaveric Section Images.

AIM: To measure and to compare the volume of thalamus using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the anatomical sections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 13 brain specimens were used. First, the images were taken in 3 mm sections on MRI, the thickness of the thalamus was measured. Subsequently, 4 mm coronal sections were prepared using a microtome. The thalamic volumes calculated from cadaveric specimens were compared with the measurements obtained using MRI. RESULTS: On MRI, the mean thalamic volumes on the right and left hemispheres were found to be 5843.4 ± 361.6 mm3 and 5377.0 ± 666.2 mm3 respectively. The mean volumes of the cadaveric sections were 5610.8 ± 401.3 mm3 on the right side and 5618.5 ± 604.1 mm3 on the left hemisphere. No statistically significant difference was found between the volume calculated from MRI and that obtained from the cadaveric section (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows a correlation between measurement of thalamus volume based on MRI and those calculated from anatomical sections. Our findings support the reliability of DBS procedures using MRI and stereotactic method.

Evaluation of different intraarticular injection volumes to assess optimum efficient amount; an experimental study in rat knee joints.

INTRODUCTION: The injection amount of solutions differs in wide ranges, from 20 to 200 µL in intraarticular injections experiments that was carried out with rats. The 10-fold difference between applied volumes is not acceptable since injection errors might affect the outcomes of the studies significantly. The excessive amount of solution that was injected into the knee joint of rats might end up with leakage of the solution from injection aperture, and damage the articular structures etc. In our preliminary experiments, we mentioned problems during the injection of excessive amount of solution into the rat knee joint. The main purpose of the present study, which was performed with rat knee joints, was to evaluate the applicability of different amounts of solutions used in experiments and to determine the optimal volume for intraarticular injection in rats. METHODS: The volume of 100 µL water-based stain was administered into knee joints of non-living rats. The legs were dissected to evaluate the possible presence of injected solution outside the knee joint. Then, the decreasing volumes (100 µL, 50 µL, 40 µL and 30 µL) of X-ray contrast solution (lobitridol) were applied into the knees of living rats to investigate whether systemic circulation acts on the leakage outside the joint. The X-ray images of all these joints were also taken to confirm the results. RESULTS: In nonliving rats, the place where water-based strain overflow from the knee joint was pointed out. The place of leakage is where the tendo musculi extensor digitorum longus leaves outside the joint. In living rats, by using contrast solution, an overflow was noticed in the subdermal place with the intraarticular injection volumes of 100 µL, 50 µL, and 40 µL. No overflow was observed with the intraarticular injection volumes of 30 µL X-ray contrast solution. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, the injection volume for the knee joints of rats should not exceed the 30 µL for optimum efficiency.

The effect of acute organophosphate intoxication on female rat hippocampus cornu ammonis region pyramidal neuron numbers, biochemistry and morphology.

BACKGROUND: The most commonly used insecticides and pesticides worldwide are organophosphate compounds, chemicals that irreversibly inhibit the cholinesterase enzyme. Acute intoxication with cholinesterase inhibitors is known to cause permanent effects on both the human and rat brains. AIM: To investigate the effect of acute organophosphate intoxication on hippocampus morphology, biochemistry, and pyramidal neuron numbers in female rats. METHODS: Twenty-one rats were randomly divided into three groups. The control group received normal nutrition and underwent no procedures. The sham group received intraperitoneal physiological serum, while the experimental group received intraperitoneal 0.8 g/kg fenthion. Rats were sacrificed 24 h after these procedures. The brains were removed and divided in two halves medially, with one side being kept in 10% neutral formalin. After fixation procedures, tissues were embedded in blocks, sliced, and stained. A neuron count was then performed for the hippocampus. The other hippocampus was homogenized and used for biochemical procedures. RESULTS: Hippocampus sections from rats in the experimental group exhibited swelling and loss of shape in pyramidal cells, while no changes were observed in the control or sham groups. The number of neurons in the experimental group was lower than in the control and sham groups. Biochemical analysis revealed higher MDA and GSH values in the experimental group compared to the control and sham groups. CONCLUSION: Our results show increased apoptotic neurodegeneration of cells in the cornu ammonis region of the hippocampus and changes in biochemical values in rats with acute organophosphate exposure.

The effects of a continuous 1-h a day 900-MHz electromagnetic field applied throughout early and mid-adolescence on hippocampus morphology and learning behavior in late adolescent male rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate hippocampus morphology and changes in learning behavior in male rats in late adolescence exposed to the effect of a continuous 1-h a day 900-megahertz (MHz) electromagnetic field (EMF). Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats aged 3-weeks were divided equally into control, sham and EMF groups. EMF group rats were exposed to a 900-MHz EMF inside an EMF cage, while the sham group rats were placed in the same cage but were not exposed to such an effect. No procedure was performed on the control group. Following 25-day application of EMF, passive avoidance, 8-arm radial maze and Y-maze tests were applied to determine rats' learning and memory performances. Open field and rotarod tests were applied to assess locomotor activity. At the end of the tests, the animals' brains were removed. Sections were taken and stained with toluidine blue. The regions of the hippocampus were subjected to histopathological evaluation. At histopathological examination, impairments of pyramidal and granular cell structures were observed in the EMF group hippocampus. No significant change was observed in learning, memory or locomotor behavior in any group. In conclusion, 900-MHz EMF applied in early and mid-adolescence causes no changes in learning, memory or locomotor behavior.

Acute renal involvement in organophosphate poisoning: histological and immunochemical investigations.

PURPOSE: Today, the long-term effects of partial exposure of cholinesterase on the kidney continue to be a research topic. In this study, we aimed to histopathologically investigate the possible effect of acute toxicity due to fenthion, an organophosphate (OP) compound, on the kidneys. METHODS: In all, 21 rats were randomly divided into three groups. Experimental group was each administered intraperitoneal 0.8 g/kg fenthion within physiologic serum. Sham group was only administered intraperitoneal physiologic serum. The control group continued normal nutrition with no procedure performed. After 24 h, all rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Half of the recipient kidney tissues were examined histopathologically and the other half biochemically. RESULTS: No histopathological findings were found in the control group. Rats in the experimental group were observed to have epithelial cell disorganization in tubules, moderate epithelial cell loss, and degeneration. Again, expansion of tubules, vacuolization of tubular epithelial cells, and tubular structure approaching atrophy were observed, with cells approaching apoptosis and common hemorrhage noted although rats in the sham group were observed to have mild tubular degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: It should not be forgotten that one of the causes of systemic complaints linked to acute toxicity exposed to the OP compound of fenthion may be cellular injury to glomerular and tubular structures in the kidneys.

Local application of tranexamic acid affects tendon healing negatively in the late period.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the potential adverse effects of tranexamic acid (TA) on tendon healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve male Wistar-Albino rats (weighing 300 g to 350 g) were used in the study. Rats were divided into two groups. Right legs of the rats were determined as the TA group and left legs as the serum physiologic (SP) group. Bilateral Achilles tenotomy was performed and surgically repaired. For the right side, 1 mL of TA and for the left side, 1 mL of SP were applied. Half of the rats were sacrificed at the third week and the other half at the sixth week and tendon samples were collected from the extremities. Histological analyses were performed according to the tendon scoring system (Bonar classification). RESULTS: Tenocyte cell morphology was better in the third week in TA group than in SP group. In terms of colloidal organization, SP groups gave superior results in all weeks. An analysis of total tendon healing scores revealed that the results of the third week TA groups were superior to the results of the sixth week TA groups. Tenocyte morphology and total tendon healing scores of rats in the sixth week TA group were statistically significantly lower compared to the third week TA group (tenocyte morphology p=0.009, total score p=0.041). CONCLUSION: In this study, we detected that locally administered TA has an adverse effect on tendon healing in late period. However, further immunohistochemical and biomechanical studies are needed to support these results.

Adverse effects in lumbar spinal cord morphology and tissue biochemistry in Sprague Dawley male rats following exposure to a continuous 1-h a day 900-MHz electromagnetic field throughout adolescence.

Cell phones, an indispensable element of daily life, are today used at almost addictive levels by adolescents. Adolescents are therefore becoming increasingly exposed to the effect of the electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted by cell phones. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exposure to a 900-MHz EMF throughout adolescence on the lumbar spinal cord using histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical techniques. Twenty-four Sprague Dawley (28.3-43.9g) aged 21days were included in the study. These were divided equally into three groups - control (CG), sham (SG) and electromagnetic (ELMAG). No procedure was performed on the CG rats until the end of the study. SG and ELMAG rats were kept inside an EMF cage (EMFC) for 1h a day every day at the same time between postnatal days 22 and 60. During this time, ELMAG rats were exposed to the effect of a 900-MHz EMF, while the SG rats were kept in the EMFC without being exposed to EMF. At the end of the study, the lumbar regions of the spinal cords of all rats in all groups were extracted. Half of each extracted tissue was stored at -80°C for biochemical analysis, while the other half was used for histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. In terms of histopathology, a lumbar spinal cord with normal morphology was observed in the other groups, while morphological irregularity in gray matter, increased vacuolization and infiltration of white matter into gray matter were pronounced in the ELMAG rats. The cytoplasm of some neurons in the gray matter was shrunken and stained dark, and vacuoles were observed in the cytoplasms. The apoptotic index of glia cells and neurons were significantly higher in ELMAG compared to the other groups. Biochemical analysis revealed a significantly increased MDA value in ELMAG compared to CG, while SOD and GSH levels decreased significantly. In conclusion, our study results suggest that continuous exposure to a 900-MHz EMF for 1h a day through all stages of adolescence can result in impairments at both morphological and biochemical levels in the lumbar region spinal cords of Sprague Dawley rats.