Investigation the effect of low frequency (50 HZ) electromagnetic field exposure in the fetal period on anxiety behavior and anxiety related genes in the in adulthood

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field, which is exposed during pregnancy, on behaviors of offspring during adolescence and on anxiety related genes in hippocampus tissue. Our experimental group consisted of pregnant rats and their offspring. Pregnant groups consist of rats exposed to pulsed electromagnetic fields at the first, second and third weeks of gestation, and controls of these 3 groups. On the other hand offspring groups consist of male and female rats born from pregnant rats exposed to pulsed electromagnetic field during pregnancy and as control group, male and female rats born from pregnant rats not exposed to electromagnetic field during pregnancy. To evaluate the anxiety-like behaviors of the offspring, elevated plus maze test was performed. Then, RNA isolation was performed from hippocampus tissues of all groups and gene expression was evaluated. The protein expression of the BDNF gene, which has a significant increase in gene expression, was evaluated by western blot method. Anxiety-like behaviors were observed in the elevated plus maze test in the male offspring group, who were born to female rats exposed to pulsed electromagnetic fields during pregnancy. In the same group; suppression of 5- HT1A, fos, Dopamine D1 receptor, Grin1, Grin2a, Grin2d, Adora1 and Adora2a genes and induction of BDNF gene expression were observed. According to our results; electromagnetic field exposure is an element that should be considered during pregnancy, and it can be suggested that children, whose mothers exposed to electromagnetic fields may be more sensitive to anxiety. Keywords: BDNF, pulsed electromagnetic field, western blot, elevated plus maze