(Fig. 7.2A). These changes were accompanied by a consistent reduction in the bone-marrow reserve
pool (Fig. 7.2B), and a depressed Iysozyme activity (Fig. 7.2C). Animals exposed for 3 months
displayed consistently depressed granulocytosis after the staph infection (Fig. 7.2A), and both the bone-
marrow reserve pool and the blood serum Iysozyme activity were lowered during the entire
postinfection period (Fig. 7.2B and C). The results were interpreted to mean that the EMF-exposed
animals lacked the reserve capacity to adapt to the infection as efficiently as the control animals: fewer
granulocytes could be mobilized, and there was a resulting decline in Iysozyme activity. In related
in
vitro
studies, rabbit granulocytes were exposed to 1000-5000 µW/cm2 for 15-60 minutes to assess the
effect on the cell membrane (20). An increase in the number of dead cells and a rise in the liberation of
Iysosomal enzymes were found.
Immune Response
An immune response is triggered by the invasion of a physical agent and it is characterized by
the appearance of circulating antibodies (humoral immunity), and the emergence of immunologically
committed cells (cellular immunity). Recognition of the intruding agent is accomplished by the
antibodies (produced by lymphocytes), and the subsequent phagocytic activity is carried out by
neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. Thus, both humoral and cellular mechanisms are intimately
meshed in the functioning of the immune-response system.
ELECTROMAGNETISM & LIFE - 96