Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field on fertility and heights of epithelial cells in pre-implantation stage endometrium and fallopian tube in mice med./bio.

By: Rajaei F, Borhani N, Sabbagh-Ziarani F, Mashayekhi F

Published in: Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao 2010; 8 (1): 56-60

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) on the fertility and heights of epithelial cells in pre-implantation stage in the endometrium and fallopian tube in mice.

Background/further details

80 female rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group and exposure group. At the time of implantation, the blastocysts were obtained from the presumed pregnant mice (controlled by vaginal plug) by flushing the isolated (dissected) uterus horns.

Endpoint

effects on the reproductive system: fertility; effects on the number of blastocysts
morphol./histopathol. changes: height of endometrial and of fallopian tube epithelial cells

Exposure

- source not given

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Exposure duration: continuous for 4 hr/day, 6 days/week for 2 weeks	magnetic flux density: 0.5 mT

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 4 hr/day, 6 days/week for 2 weeks

Exposure setup

Exposure source	not specified

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	0.5 mT	-	-	-	-

Exposed system:

animal
mouse/NMRI
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the reproductive system: fertility; effects on the number of blastocysts
morphol./histopathol. changes: height of endometrial and of fallopian tube epithelial cells (hematoxylin-eosin stain; light microscopy)

Investigated system:

tissue slices
isolated organ
flushed blastocysts

Investigated organ system:

reproductive system

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The analysis of the mean number of the flushed blastocysts in the exposed group showed a significant decrease as compared with the control group. The height of the fallopian tube epithelial cells was significantly increased in the exposed group as compared with the control group. However the height of the endometrial epithelial cells in the electromagnetic field exposed group showed insignificant increase as compared with the control group.
The authors conclude that an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure has a detrimental effect on the female reproductive system in mice by decreasing the number of flushed blastocysts and increasing the height of fallopian tube epithelial cells.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Iran

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