The Effects of 50 Hz Magnetic Field on the Monoamine Neurotransmitters Contents in the Hippocampus of Rats

Objective To investigate the effect of 50Hz magnetic field on the monoamine neurotransmitters contents in the hippocampus of rats. Methods 32 male SD rats were divided into 4 groups, exposed to 50 Hz magnetic field at the density of 0, 0.1, 1.2, and 1.6 mT, 2 h a day for a certain time. The contents of NE, E, DA and 5-HT were measured by HPLC. Results The contents of NE, DA and 5-HT in hippocampus were increased when the young rats were exposed to 1.2 and 1.6 mT for 10 days, the changes of monoamine neurotransmitters in 0.1 mT exposed group was not significant. The increase in monoamine neurotransmitters was disappeared when the 1.6 mT exposed group stop being exposed to the magnetic field for 30 days, while the monoamine neurotransmitters contents were decreased when the young rats were continuously exposed to 1.2 mT for 90 days. The contents of NE, DA and 5-HT, except E, in the old rats were decreased significantly when exposed to 0.1 mT intensity for 8 months. Conclusion Magnetic field exposure may affect the monoamine neurotransmitters content in the hippocampus, which may be responsible for the changes of learning and memory of rats induced by 50 Hz magnetic field exposure.