Extremely low frequency magnetic field（ELF-MF） is a kind of ubiquitous physical environment factor. With the development of science and society

organisms

such as human

mammals and fish

are continuously exposure to ELF-MF. Nowadays

more and more attention has been paid to the biological effects of ELF-MF exposure. On the basis of the present literatures into the biological effects of ELF-MF

we summarized the research results with a focus on animal behavior

immunologic function

cell development

and embryonic development

expecting to provide the knowledge of development on the biological effects of ELF-MF

as well as its main research achievements. Most of the animal behavior studies were focused on the migration of fish

as well as the locomotion of mammalian

etc. Immunological function mainly aimed at immunological system of the organism. Cell development studies put mainly efforts in cell growth

apoptosis

and gene expression

etc. Embryonic development mainly targeted at the effects of magnetic fields on birds

fish

invertebrates and mammals. However

there is no accordant conclusion based on the research results. The present paper analyzes the possible issues and propose the future research directions combining with the exposure limits. Future research should include the improvements of the risk assessment system

the biological effects of ELF-MF with low-intensity

as well as the combined effects of ELF-MF and other environmental factors.