Vestnik MGTU (Jun 2019)
The influence of low-frequency electromagnetic field on the operability of gray seals
Abstract
Gray seals are widely used in biotechnical systems for various purposes. In the study of the effect of an artificial electromagnetic field (EMF) with 8 Hz frequency on the performance of gray seals, the method of conditioned reflexes has been used (one of the most informative for experimentally studying the functional state of the higher divisions of the Central nervous system). Two adult female grey seal have been used in the experiment; two series of experiments have been conducted for each individual gray seal. The first series of experiments has been conducted in the conditions of natural (background) geomagnetic field. During the second series of experiments, individuals of gray seals have been affected by an artificial electromagnetic field throughout the training. The criterion for assessing the effect of EMF on the operability of animals is the implementation of skills due to their behavior. During the study, the following parameters of instrumental reflexes have been monitored: the average retention time of the target pointer (the Target command); average target search time (the Search command); total time spent on training; the number of mistakes made by the seal per workout. It has been shown that experimental animals are characterized by similar properties of higher nervous activity. Experiments without exposure to an electromagnetic field have shown comparable values of the target index hold time, target search, and the number of errors made. When conducting training with the effects of artificial low-frequency electromagnetic field, the animals were more excited, made more errors when executing commands; the target pointer hold time was significantly reduced, and the target search time increased by one and a half times. Thus, when exposing gray seals in the artificial electromagnetic field with the frequency of 8 Hz, an annoying, alarming effect of this field has been observed manifesting itself in a decrease in the effectiveness of instrumental conditioned reflexes that means reducing the operability of gray seals.
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