Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2020, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (3): 612-619.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2020.03.021

• BASIC VETERINARY MEDICINE • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of 1.8 GHz Microwave on the Structure of Hypothalamus in Mice

AN Xiuxiu1, LIU Lin2, XU Yuwei1, WU Yalin3, LUO Mengyun1, WEI Xueliang1*   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China;
    2. The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station of Dalu Town, Chongqing 402772, China;
    3. Sichuan Fisheries School, Chengdu 611730, China
  • Received:2019-08-19 Online:2020-03-25 Published:2020-03-20

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological changes of hypothalamic cells in pre-puberty mice exposed to electromagnetic radiation at 1.8 GHz. The trial was randomly divided into three groups and each group consisted of 30 repetitions. Microwave irradiation frequency we used was 1.8 GHz and three groups were treated respectively on 0 (Control group), 1 (Low dose test group) and 2 mw·cm-2 (High dose test group). Radiation was made on maternal mice during the entire period of gestation and lactation, and on the offspring until the day of postnatal 30. The mental state of mice were observed. The body mass, the cerebral mass of mice was recorded. Brain samples were collected at 30, 45 and 60 days of age. The histological changes of the hypothalamus were observed. The contents of neurotransmitter glutamate (Glu), aspartic acid (Asp), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine (Gly) in the hypothalamus were detected by HPLC. Results were as follows:(1) At the age of 30 days, the results showed that the body weight and brain weight in two experimental groups were lower than that of the control group (P<0.05), and the content of Asp, Glu, Gly and GABA in the brain of mice increased. Changes of ultrastructure including vacuolization in the hypothalamic cells, intracellular mitochondria edema, and dilated vascular space. (2) At the age of 45 days, the morphology of the cells in the low-dose test group recovered, but mitochondrial swelling still existed. Besides, the level of Asp and Gly in the brain decreased (P>0.05), and the level of Glu and GABA increased (P>0.05). In the high-dose test group, massive atrophic cells and swollen intracellular mitochondria still could be observed, and the content of Asp, Glu, Gly and GABA in the brain increased (P<0.05). (3) At the age of 60 days, the morphology of the cells in the low-dose group recovered. The mitochondria returned to normal, and there was no significant difference of the content of Asp, Glu, Gly and GABA in the brain between two groups (P>0.05). In the high-dose group, the hypothalamic cells basically recovered. Swollen mitochondria was nearly repaired and the nuclear was the normal appearance. The concentration of Asp in the brain decreased, and the concentration of Glu, GABA, and Gly increased. Overall, radiation damages the hypothalamic cells in mice, and these damages could be restored after radiation stops.

Key words: mice, 1.8 GHz electromagnetic wave, hypothalamus, neurotransmitters

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