Metamorphosis delay in Xenopus laevis (Daudin) tadpoles exposed to a 50 Hz weak magnetic field

• Published in: International journal of radiation biology 2010-01, Vol.86 (1), p.37-46
• Main Authors: Severini, Maurizio, Bosco, Luigi, Alilla, Roberta, Loy, Massimo, Bonori, Maurizio, Giuliani, Livio, Bedini, Angelico, Giliberti, Claudia, Palomba, Raffaele, Pesolillo, Simone, Giacomozzi, Emanuele, Castellano, Agostina Congiu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; development retardation; Electromagnetic Fields; Larva - growth & development; Larva - radiation effects; Magnetics; Metamorphosis, Biological - radiation effects; Time Factors; weak ELF magnetic fields; Xenopus laevis; Xenopus laevis - growth & development
• ISSN: 0955-3002; 1362-3095
• DOI: 10.3109/09553000903137687

Purpose: The experiment was performed to prove that exposure to a relatively weak extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field retards tadpoles' development. Methods: Two cohorts of Xenopus laevis laevis (Daudin) tadpoles were exposed during their immature period (∼60 days) to a 50 Hz magnetic field of 63.9 ≤ B ≤ 76.4 μT rms (root mean square, average values) magnetic flux density in a solenoid. At the same time, as controls, two comparable cohorts were reared in two aquariums remote from the solenoid. Cohorts' degree of development was quantified by daily inspections of animal limbs and attributing them to a stage of the Nieuwkoop and Faber (1956) classification. The experiment was replicated three times. Results: (a) Mean developmental rate of exposed cohorts was reduced with respect to controls (0.43 vs. 0.48 stages/day, p