LEUKOCYTES AND MICRONUCLEATED ERYTHROCYTES IN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD FROM MICE EXPOSED TO 50-HZ OR 20-KHZ MAGNETIC-FIELDS

CBA/S and CBA/Ca mice were exposed to 50-Hz, 14-mu T peak-to-peak (p-p ) or 20-kHz, 15-mu T p-p magnetic fields (MFs) for various periods in 5 experiments. Numbers of leukocytes and erythrocytes, as well as of m icronucleated erythrocytes, were studied in peripheral blood. Statisti cally significant decreases in the number of lymphocytes occurred with nearly the same frequency as increases. The variation in the numbers of leukocytes was more time dependent in MF-exposed than in sham-expos ed control animals. The ratio between the immature and mature erythroc ytes increased significantly only in mice exposed for 90 days to a 50- Hz MF. The 50-Hz MF did not increase micronuclei in peripheral erythro cytes during 90-day exposure. Taken together, the results do not indic ate any strong effects of MFs on leukocyte and erythrocyte formation i n CBA mice. If there were slight effects on blood leukocytes, they nee d further confirmation with larger numbers of animals.