Eur J Anat, 4 (1): 35-43 (2000)

Static electromagnetic field effects on pineal vesicles: A morphological and morphometric study in chick embryos

Piera V., Jove M., Torrente M., Cobos P.

Unitat d'Anatomia Humana i Embriol., Dept. de Ciencies Mediques Basiques, Fac. de Med. i Ciencies de la Salut, C/Sant Llorenç, 21, E-43201-Reus., Spain

ABSTRACT The effects of static electromagnetic field exposure on the development of pineal cell aggregates were studied in chick embryos. Static electromagnetic fields were created by a solenoidal coil (110Ã?160 mm) kept inside the incubators and connected to a power supply. The magnetic field generated was static and uniform (frequency = 0; wavelength = 0) and the intensities were 18 mT and 36 mT. Eggs were incubated either under control or static electromagnetic field conditions, and embryos were sacrificed after 5, 10 and 15 days of incubation. The morphology, number and density of pineal aggregates were determined in three pineal areas (apical, anterior and posterior). In exposed embryos, the vesicles appeared earlier (by the 5^th day) and after 15 days of incubation the number of vesicles was higher and stroma compaction was greater than in controls. These changes in vesicle morphology and density suggest that a static electromagnetic field might be able to stimulate pineal maturation and development in the chick embryo.

Keywords: animal experiment, animal tissue, article, cell aggregation, chicken, electromagnetic field, embryo, embryo development, epiphysis, incubator, morphology, morphometrics, nonhuman, pineal body