Assessment of the Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Apoptosis and Stress Protein Biomarkers in the Spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Electromagnetic fields (EMFs), increasingly prevalent due to technological advancements, have raised significant concerns regarding their potential biological effects on living organisms. While much attention has focused on human health, growing evidence suggests that EMFs can also affect invertebrates, which play vital ecological roles. This study investigates the biochemical and cell death biomarker responses to EMF exposure for 24 h or 72 h in Parasteatoda tepidariorum. The focus is placed on the 10 MHz frequency, which is relevant to environmental exposure scenarios. Biochemical biomarkers include heat shock proteins (HSP70) and the percentage of apoptotic and living cells in individuals at their embryonic, young and adult stages. Results indicate that exposure to EMFs can induce measurable stress responses at the biochemical level, with variations depending on developmental stage and protective structures. Embryos outside of the egg sac exhibited significantly elevated levels of HSP70 and apoptosis markers compared to those within the sac, suggesting a partial protective effect of the cocoons. Furthermore, differences in biomarker sensitivity were observed across all the developmental stages and increased with prolonged exposure. These findings contribute to the understanding of EMF-induced biological effects in invertebrates and support the use of P. tepidariorum as a model species for environmental electromagnetic pollution.
DOI: 10.3390/ijms27094088
Institution: University of Silesia in Katowice
Language: English
Subfield: Biophysics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
Funder: Narodowe Centrum Nauki
Award: G7494346191
OpenAlex ID: W7160056684