**2. Materials and methods**

*Rodents*

aspect of the gravity or influence that communication technology has on biological bodies; so, the interest of this work focuses on observing the behavior of the direct and indirect influence of the emission of electromagnetic fields with a thorough

Mice are one of the most fertile and numerous groups of mammals on Earth due to the extraordinary ability of their populations to reproduce. They have large numbers of offspring, which is one of the primary reasons they make up the largest group of mammals; the second is that they have a short gestation (pregnancy) period. They are grouped in the Rodentia order and are characterized by very sharp

Rodents are the order with the most species within the group of mammals; there are more than 400 genera and some 2000 species. Among the best known species are mice, rats, chinchillas, and squirrels. Rodents that are closely related to humans (commensal rodents) such as the brown, Norwegian, or water rat (*Rattus norvegicus*), the black or roof rat (*Rattus rattus*), and the house mouse (*Mus domesticus* and *M. musculus*), which have spread throughout the world, taking advantage of their simple body designs, a high reproductive rate, a general diet, and a sophisticated behavior pattern that allowed them to avoid the most cunning attempts at eradication. Knowledge of the response of rodents to their environment can help explain their behavior patterns and allow us to propose or establish control methods [6]. Based on these considerations, it is important to note Mary Johnson's manuscript: "*Genetically defined and genetically modified mice and rats are widely used in research to analyze the function of specific genes, and to serve as experimental models for different human diseases. Thousands of these strains are available, with infinity of genetic alterations, selection of the strain and several applications*" [7]. Given these described aspects, the interest of this document focuses on verifying in a qualitative and quantitative way the real behavior of the exposure of mice to non-ionizing electromagnetic fields. Additionally, it is important to take the main biological aspects of mice according to the laboratory animal management guide. These groups mark their vital areas with urine, forming a network of odors that then allows them to overcome narrow bridges in total darkness. Dominant males and reproductive females create 3-cm-high olfactory stalagmites that announce the presence of their territories to animals nearby. In addition, it is important to take

analysis of experimentation in laboratory organisms, such as mice.

and curved teeth like a chisel that is used to gnaw hard objects.

note of the sensory characteristics that they have, which are as follows:

and can be followed or avoided by other individuals.

for social communications between them.

• Smell: used to guide their movements around vital areas where feces, urine, and genital secretions contribute to leaving traces of odor. Traces are detected

• Touch: their main action is the whiskers; this is because the mice and rats have the ability to control their position; they are in constant movement during the exploration, contacting the ground, walls, and any nearby object; in addition, they are the ones that announce the changes of the climate in the environment.

• Hearing: they have a keen sense of hearing, in addition to listening in the range audible to humans, they can capture ultrasonic sounds including those emitted by themselves in that range (between 22 kHz and 90 kHz), and these are used

• Sight: they are specialized for night vision; they have high sensitivity to light, but poor visual acuity. Rodents have good depth perception and are able to correctly assess the effort required to perform any type of jump; apparently

**10**

Based on the statements described above, it is important to consider the main behavioral characteristics that developed when mice exposed to electromagnetic fields. For this situation, it is important to reflect on the geographical place where it was made, the city of Potosí, with an average altitude of 3950 m above sea level, with temperatures ranging from 18°C in spring and summer to less than 5°C in the autumn and winter seasons.

The procedure carried out in this quasi-experimental evaluation starts from an exhaustive analysis in the control and observation of mice before and after irradiation to electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones and signals that exist in the environment. For this reason, the evaluation is carried out in stages or phases, the selection of samples in an organized and equitable manner in each glass box. The first phase consisting of the time of adaptation and acclimatization to the environmental conditions of the region; in this, the metabolic data that the mouse undergoes and its behavior within its habit are registered before being affected by electromagnetic fields, learn about the different abilities particular of mice. Also, at this stage, it is important to record the levels of non-ionizing radiations, for its analysis and to subsequently observe the increase that is made with mobile sources such as cellular sources. In the second phase, it analyzes the characteristics of the cell phones, where the irradiation power must not exceed the permissible limits established in the ICNIRP. Subsequently, the phones are introduced gradually, observing and recording the behavior of the mice within their habit, applying the Likert scale method to demonstrate the level of behavior that each mouse has and thus, demonstrate the influence caused by the fields electromagnetic on mice.

Thus, the mice are housed in glass boxes with appropriate dimensions which are designed to facilitate their behavior since they:


In consideration of these aspects, it is also important to consider the instruments for analyzing the irradiation of electromagnetic fields. For this, three radiofrequency spectrum analyzers were used to observe the level of concentration of concentrated electromagnetic energy in the environment where the rats are located. These instruments are Spectran NF5030, HF2025E, and HF6040, from the German industry, with calibration certification; they analyze electromagnetic pollution with a margin of error of 0.7%, at 2.5% based on the standards established by the ICNIRP [8]. These regulations allow us to establish the real situation in a quasi-experimental environment, where the interest is focused on observing the behavior of animals exposed to these electromagnetic fields that are not noticeable.

With all these aspects, a rodent laboratory (bioterium) was implemented, considering the main aspects of hygiene, safety, and size control in the intrinsic metabolism of each mouse. It is also important to mention that the biosecurity elements are particularly important, where they can ensure control against any pest and/or disease that may be emitted while cleaning or controlling the dwellings where the experimental mice are located (**Figure 3**).

Once the environment is adequate, we proceed with the applied research methodological principles [9], seeking to generate knowledge on the topic developed. Therefore, this is fundamentally based on the findings that the use of wireless communication technology used in our environment implies addressing the issue of the current situation of settlement and/or proliferation of telecommunication antennas. For this reason, the study of this work concentrates on an explanatory methodology; it is used in order to try to determine the causes and consequences of the aforementioned phenomenon, giving the survey of why in some regions of the planet, there is so much problem of settlement or exposure to electromagnetic fields that are generated by the antennas of telecommunication and/or by the latest generation cell phones based on a coherent state of the question and without manipulation of information. We use of the logical tools of research centered on the inductive method this is focused on the observation and analysis of the situation, allowing conclusions to be drawn from the events that occurred in mice exposed to electromagnetic fields, considering that this is quasi-experimental, in the fact that it is intended to manipulate some specific variables, such as the density of mobile phones, which emit a certain amount of electromagnetic radiation, taking into account that there is no full control over all variables. Finally, longitudinal monitoring is assumed, which characterized the monitoring of the behavior of mice exposed to electromagnetic fields considering a specific observation period (**Figure 4**).

**13**

*The Influence of Electromagnetic Fields on the Behavior of Mice*

Based on the established methodologies, we start with the climatic variables of the laboratory such as temperature and relative humidity (RH) in the environment. For this cold weather situation, the mice gradually adapt according to their habit of developing in glass cages, where they present concerns for their immunological and psychological development. Initially, the mouse has a social characteristic and is kept in groups without any problem; these groups form quickly once they are introduced to the glass cage. However, the males of both strains (boxes) begin to show their aggressiveness on the 15th day, even though these groups have not fully established themselves in their habitat. Low temperatures in the laboratory cause a death of 15% of the samples, which causes a controlled heat system to be introduced at certain hours of the night, in order to avoid the loss of the samples. Once these environmental conditions of temperature and humidity were established, the mice showed greater social activity among themselves. At the time of providing the corresponding food, there should have been a procedure for an adequate food balance, such as composition, meeting growth needs, and coat maintenance, the latter being a main aspect of observation, which thanks to this I show some allergies and/or

*Laboratory instrumentation (bioterium), Physic Department, "Tomás Frías Autonomous University."*

Therefore, the feeding that is supplied to the mice must have the necessary amounts in fiber and nutrients; in addition, it must be considered that these animals always seek to gnaw some food; that is why much of the diet is concentrated in cereals such as wheat and corn. However, their diet is also concentrated on green foods and nuts in addition to proportions of potatoes, carrots, and other foods that help in growth. It is evident that balanced food that exists for domestic animals such as cats and dogs are attractive to the mouse, the same that causes the fur of the mouse to increase and be much finer. This leads us to have two affirmations: the first is that the food has enough vitamins and they consume in greater quantity in addition to having the corresponding hardness to gnaw. The second is that the taste sensation in some mice causes the bowel movements to be inconsistent but rather causes foul smelling diarrhea that is not favorable to the mouse. Therefore, the nutrition of the mice had processes through which the biological body transforms and uses the nutrients to obtain enough energy, as well as to maintain and repair the tissues since the organism needs to acquire an external contribution of matter, essential for getting the sub-

It is important to consider the feeding for cold places should be a maximum of 5.7 to 7.5 g of food per mouse; the above is subject to consideration depending on the climate of the region. It should also be considered that the water supply should never be missing in either of the two sample boxes, in a quantity of 250 ml per day. The adaptation time of the mice in the climatic conditions of the city of Potosí

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93320*

**3. Results and discussions**

**Figure 4.**

poor digestion in gnawing some cereals.

stances that regulate the metabolic processes of the mouse.

**Figure 3.** *Implementation of the Mice Lab at the Physics Department, "Tomás Frías Autonomous University."*

**Figure 4.**

*Rodents*

not noticeable.

• there are no sharp edges or projections that can cause injury to the animal; and

In consideration of these aspects, it is also important to consider the instruments for analyzing the irradiation of electromagnetic fields. For this, three radiofrequency spectrum analyzers were used to observe the level of concentration of concentrated electromagnetic energy in the environment where the rats are located. These instruments are Spectran NF5030, HF2025E, and HF6040, from the German industry, with calibration certification; they analyze electromagnetic pollution with a margin of error of 0.7%, at 2.5% based on the standards established by the ICNIRP [8]. These regulations allow us to establish the real situation in a quasi-experimental environment, where the interest is focused on observing the behavior of animals exposed to these electromagnetic fields that are

With all these aspects, a rodent laboratory (bioterium) was implemented, considering the main aspects of hygiene, safety, and size control in the intrinsic metabolism of each mouse. It is also important to mention that the biosecurity elements are particularly important, where they can ensure control against any pest and/or disease that may be emitted while cleaning or controlling the dwellings

Once the environment is adequate, we proceed with the applied research methodological principles [9], seeking to generate knowledge on the topic developed. Therefore, this is fundamentally based on the findings that the use of wireless communication technology used in our environment implies addressing the issue of the current situation of settlement and/or proliferation of telecommunication antennas. For this reason, the study of this work concentrates on an explanatory methodology; it is used in order to try to determine the causes and consequences of the aforementioned phenomenon, giving the survey of why in some regions of the planet, there is so much problem of settlement or exposure to electromagnetic fields that are generated by the antennas of telecommunication and/or by the latest generation cell phones based on a coherent state of the question and without manipulation of information. We use of the logical tools of research centered on the inductive method this is focused on the observation and analysis of the situation, allowing conclusions to be drawn from the events that occurred in mice exposed to electromagnetic fields, considering that this is quasi-experimental, in the fact that it is intended to manipulate some specific variables, such as the density of mobile phones, which emit a certain amount of electromagnetic radiation, taking into account that there is no full control over all variables. Finally, longitudinal monitoring is assumed, which characterized the monitoring of the behavior of mice exposed to electromagnetic fields considering a specific observation period

*Implementation of the Mice Lab at the Physics Department, "Tomás Frías Autonomous University."*

• a running wheel is incorporated for their development.

where the experimental mice are located (**Figure 3**).

**12**

**Figure 3.**

(**Figure 4**).

*Laboratory instrumentation (bioterium), Physic Department, "Tomás Frías Autonomous University."*
