Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Comparison of polymerization and structural behavior of microtubules in rat brain and sperm affected by the extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field med./bio.

By: Gholami D, Riazi G, Fathi R, Sharafi M, Shahverdi A
Published in: BMC Mol Cell Biol 2019; 20 (1): 41
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of rats to a 50 Hz magnetic field on microtubules in brain and sperm and associated functions should be investigated.

Background/further details

Rats were randomly divided into an exposure group (n=10) and a control group (n=10). After exposure, the anxiety behaviour was investigated and the animals were killed afterwards to examine the remaining parameters.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 24 h/day for 85 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
  • rectangular
Exposure duration 24 h/day for 85 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup radius of each coil was 35 mm and 70 mm height; coils were made from copper wire, 1000 turns/m with a diameter 1.7 mm
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 5 mT - - - -
Additional parameter details

maximum induced electric field was 4.1 mV/m, according to Faraday’s law

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Sperm viability as well as sperm motility were significantly higher in the exposure group compared to the control group. Tubulin polymerization in sperm and brain of the exposure group were significantly higher than in the control group. The secondary structure and tertiary structure of tubulins were significantly different in the exposure group compared to the control group.
There were no significant differences in testosterone and corticosterone levels, anxiety behavior and sperm morphology between the exposure and control group.
The authors conclude that exposure of rats to a 50 Hz magnetic field might alter the conformation of tubulin and improve microtubule polymerization in brain and sperm, resulting in an improvement of associated functions.

Study character:

Study funded by

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