31 - Electromagnetic Waves Exposure Affects the Normal Development of the Brain in the Chick Embryo

Poster Board Number: 31
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Co-authors:

Vishwakarma Nitin, MBBS, MS - Assistant professor, Anatomy, School of Podiatric Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande valley; Mohammad Al Kindi, MS - Senior lab In charge, Department of Pathology, Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Sultan Qaboos University; Zamzam Alghdani, MD - Medical Resident, Obstetrics and gynaecology, Khowla Hospital; Nibras Al Lawati - medical student, MD 2, National University

Abstract Body : Recent advances in science suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction due to oxidative stress is a cause in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Electromagnetic waves (RFW) cause oxidative stress in the living cells and affect the mitochondria in the living cells.

Objective: To investigate the effects of electromagnetic waves (RFW) on the development of the brain in an animal model.

Method: 30 zero-day fertilized eggs were randomly divided into control and exposed groups and placed in two egg incubators. A mobile phone was placed in one incubator (exposed group). A popular mobile phone and service provider was selected with 1800 MHz frequency, power of 0.47 W/kg body and SAR 1.10 w/KG (head). Electromagnetic (RFW) exposure was given by calling the phone for 5 minutes, 10 times daily from another mobile phone placed outside the incubator; total of 50 minutes exposure in 24 hours. Fifteen embryos were scarified on day 10 and another fifteen on day 15 of chick development. Specimens were taken from cerebral cortex and cerebellum, fixed in 10% glutaraldehyde solution, and sent for TEM. Total exposure time was 500 minutes on day 10 and 750 minutes on day 15.

Results: At both day 10 and day 15, control group revealed large well-developed neurons in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum along with oligodendrocytes, the neuroglia was less developed at day 10 than at day 15. In the exposed group, pyramidal and cerebellar neurons were not clearly visible, reduced in size and showing signs of apoptosis. The neuroglia was dense and disorganized. Purkinje cells in the cerebellum showed rounded mitochondria.

Conclusion: The RFW affected the development of the neurons and the neuroglia of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum in the exposed group. Swelling of mitochondrial showing the signs of oxidative stress in the neurons.