The behavioural and reproductive consequences in offspring (first generation) of mice continuously exposed to a...

The behavioural and reproductive activities of the offspring of mice that had spent their whole lives exposed to a continuous strong magnetic field (76655 gamma) were investigated. The data obtained revealed that intermale fighting was drastically inhibited in such animals. Exposure to such a condition also significantly reduced other behavioural responses (e.g. social and non-social elements) recorded in the social encounters between experimental and 'standard opponent' intruders. Preliminary results on the reproductive activity of exposed mice were evaluated by mating them with female counterparts which had also spent their whole lives under the same condition of the magnetic field intensity. None of the mated females became pregnant. The magnetic field thus influences the behavioural and reproductive responses in mice. These effects may be mediated by their influences on the neurophysiological sites that control these activities.