Noise exposure of pregnant mice induces heart defects in their fetuses

Abstract

To determine the effects of noise exposure on hearts of newborn mice, 48 pregnant mice were exposed to recorded aircraft flight noise (100 dB) for 150 min from the 2nd day of pregnancy to 7th day after delivery. Mice of the same age were selected as control group. The weights and crown-rump lengths of the fetuses and the newborns were measured, and their hearts were removed under deep anesthesia on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days after birth and prepared histologically. Quantitative changes of the hearts were measured stereologically by the Cavalieri method. The ultrastructural changes of cardiac myocytes were examined using transmission electron microscopy. No histological changes were observed, but the volumes of newborns' hearts in the experimental groups increased significantly compared to the control group. Photomicrographs of cardiac muscle cells revealed nuclear envelope changes, chromatin condensation, and increased mitochondria and myofibrils in noise-exposed newborns. It is concluded that the newborns of pregnant mice exposed to noise stress have hypertrophic hearts with ultrastructural changes.

The Research on the Effectiveness of the Inclined Top Type of a Noise Barrier / Triukšmo Slopinimo Sienelės Viršutinės Dalies Polinkio Efektyvumo Tyrimai

“…Noise is often referred to as undesirable sound (Monsefi et al 2011). It is a global problem encompassing all the spheres of human life and work (Baltrėnas et al 2010;Brink 2011).…”

Research of Different Noise Barriers Efficiency at Different Temperature

“…Noise is often referred to as undesirable sound (Monsefi et al 2011). Road traffic is one of the most common sources of noise pollution affecting residents' quality of life, especially in an urban context (Kang 2006;Den Boer, Schroten 2007).…”