Effects of exposure to 50 Hz, 0.5 mT electromagnetic fields during incubation on whole body and internal organs weight in broiler chicks

Aim of present study was to determine the effect of intermitted exposure to 50 Hz, 0.5 mT electromagnetic fields (EMF) during different periods of incubation on internal organ (liver, heart, spleen, intestine & gizzard-preventriculus) weights in newly-hatched chicks. Experimental groups were: group 1 (control), with normal incubation process and without any exposing to EMF; group 2 included eggs exposed to 50 Hz, 0.5 mT EMF, 2 h daily for 0-7 day of incubation; group 3 included eggs exposed for 2 h daily from day-8 to -14 of incubation; group 4; included eggs exposed from day-15 to -21 of incubation and group 5 included eggs exposed from per day to -21 of incubation (whole incubation period). Incubation condition with exception to EMF exposing, was similar for all groups. At EMF exposure time, eggs were transferred to EMF emitter set and after exposure time, eggs were transferred to their rows (setter). Exposure to EMF could not have any considerable effect on hatching weight, heart, spleen and gizzard-preventriculus weights of hatched chicks. Liver and intestine weight was affected by exposure to EMFs at third week of incubation (days 15-21), negatively (p less than 0.01). The intestine weight only in group 2 was more than control group (p less than 0.01). It was concluded that embryonic exposure to EMF: 50 Hz, 0.5 mT at 0-7 day or 8-15 day of incubation had no negative effect on whole body weight, liver, heart, spleen, intestine and gizzard-preventriculus weights, but EMF exposing at 15-21 d of incubation may have negative effect on liver and intestine weights with lowers organ size. Whole period (day 0-21) exposure to EMF: 50 Hz, 0.5 mT did not change organ weights. It is suggested that embryo could adapt for EMF exposure during incubation period, without any decrease in organ weights.