Exposure to Electromagnetic Field during Gestation Adversely Affects the Electrophysiological Properties of Purkinje Cells in Rat Offspring

Background: Prenatal adverse effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exposure on nervous system are an issue of major concern.Objective: Thus, in this study we evaluated the membrane current flow properties of Purkinje neurons after maternal exposure to ۹۰۰ MHz pulsed RF-EMF.Material and Methods: In this experimental study, during all days of pregnancy, rats in the EMF-exposed group were exposed to ۹۰۰ MHz pulsed-EMF radiation for ۶ h per day. The effects of RF-EMF exposure on the electrophysiological properties of the Purkinje cerebellum neurons from male pups were evaluated by whole-cell patch clamp recordings in current and voltage clamp modes. In voltage-clamp experiments, the holding potential was -۶۰ mV, and a depolarizing voltage step (۱۰۰۰ ms duration) was applied from -۶۰ to +۵۰ mV in ۱۰ mV increments at ۲s intervals. Results: The exposure group demonstrated reduced spontaneous firing associated with upward and rightward shift in I/V curve compared to the control rats. Moreover, the peak amplitude of the current for the exposure pups also revealed a significant decrement. The reversal potential was +۴۰ mV and +۲۰ mV for the control and RF-EMF groups, respectively and showed significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: The decrease in ion’s conductance could be attributed to the observed decrease in the voltage onset of the inward current, peak amplitude and voltage shift.

Keywords:

Electrophysiological Properties , Cell Phone , Purkinje cells , Prenatal Injuries