Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Exposure of C57BL/6J male mice to an electric field improves copulation rates with superovulated females med./bio.

By: Hori T, Yamsaard T, Ueta YY, Harakawa S, Kaneko E, Miyamoto A, Xuan X, Toyoda Y, Suzuki H
Published in: J Reprod Dev 2005; 51 (3): 393-397
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of an electric field exposure on C57BL/6J male mice in terms of copulation rates with superovulated females.

Background/further details

There are considerable strain differences in the relative copulation rates between male and superovulated female mice. In particular, the C57BL/6J strain of mice has a lower rate of successful copulation.
30 male C57BL/6J mice were exposed. Data were compared to copulation rates of male ICR mice.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure for 30 min/day for 1, 3, and 11 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration repeated daily exposure for 30 min/day for 1, 3, and 11 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • array
  • see setup details
Setup The electric field exposure system consisted of a constant voltage unit, a voltage controller, a high voltage transformer unit, and cylindrical plastic exposure cages (diameter 200 mm, height 200 mm) with two stainless steel electrodes (400 x 400 mm) placed over and under them.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 45 kV/m - - - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The successful copulation rates of exposed C57BL/6J males was significantly improved compared with unexposed males.
These findings indicate that the exposure of C57BL/6J male mice to an electric field improves their sub-fertility activity in mating with superovulated females.

Study character:

Study funded by