Evaluation of the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on mammalian follicle development.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pulsed, extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on in-vitro mouse pre-antral follicle development. Pre-antral follicles were cultured for 5 days and exposed to ELF-EMF at the frequencies of 33 or 50 Hz. ELF-EMF application did not affect follicular growth over a 3 day culture period, but on day 5 the growth of 33 Hz-exposed follicles was significantly reduced when compared with controls, while the 50 Hz-exposed follicles were not significantly affected. However, ELF-EMF severely impaired antrum formation at both frequencies, as 79 +/- 3% of control follicles developed antral cavities compared with 30 +/- 6% and 51.6 +/- 4% of 33 or 50 Hz-exposed follicles respectively. The follicles with failed antrum formation showed lower oestradiol release and granulosa cell DNA synthesis, but these effects were not related to granulosa cell apoptosis. Furthermore, a high percentage of the in-vitro grown oocytes obtained from exposed follicles had a reduced ability to resume meiotic maturation when compared with controls. These results suggest that ELF-EMF exposure might impair mammalian female reproductive potentiality by reducing the capacity of the follicles to reach a developmental stage that is an essential pre-requisite for reproductive success.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Mouse pre-antral follicles cultured for 5 days and exposed to pulsed ELF-EMF at 33 or 50 Hz showed no growth effect over 3 days; by day 5, growth was significantly reduced at 33 Hz versus controls, while 50 Hz was not significantly different. Antrum formation was markedly reduced at both frequencies (controls 79±3% vs 30±6% at 33 Hz and 51.6±4% at 50 Hz), with failed antrum formation associated with lower oestradiol release and granulosa cell DNA synthesis; these effects were not related to granulosa cell apoptosis. Oocytes from exposed follicles had reduced ability to resume meiotic maturation compared with controls.

Outcomes measured

• Follicular growth
• Antrum formation (antral cavity development)
• Oestradiol release
• Granulosa cell DNA synthesis
• Granulosa cell apoptosis (relation assessed)
• Oocyte meiotic maturation (ability to resume maturation)

Limitations

• In-vitro mouse follicle model; relevance to in-vivo or human reproductive outcomes not established in abstract
• Exposure intensity/field strength not reported in abstract
• Sample size not reported in abstract

Suggested hubs

• elf-reproduction (0.9)
  In-vitro study of pulsed ELF-EMF (33/50 Hz) effects on follicle development, hormone release, and oocyte maturation.

{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "5 days (in-vitro culture exposure); outcomes reported at days 3 and 5"
    },
    "population": "In-vitro mouse pre-antral follicles (oocytes obtained from exposed follicles)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Follicular growth",
        "Antrum formation (antral cavity development)",
        "Oestradiol release",
        "Granulosa cell DNA synthesis",
        "Granulosa cell apoptosis (relation assessed)",
        "Oocyte meiotic maturation (ability to resume maturation)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Mouse pre-antral follicles cultured for 5 days and exposed to pulsed ELF-EMF at 33 or 50 Hz showed no growth effect over 3 days; by day 5, growth was significantly reduced at 33 Hz versus controls, while 50 Hz was not significantly different. Antrum formation was markedly reduced at both frequencies (controls 79±3% vs 30±6% at 33 Hz and 51.6±4% at 50 Hz), with failed antrum formation associated with lower oestradiol release and granulosa cell DNA synthesis; these effects were not related to granulosa cell apoptosis. Oocytes from exposed follicles had reduced ability to resume meiotic maturation compared with controls.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "In-vitro mouse follicle model; relevance to in-vivo or human reproductive outcomes not established in abstract",
        "Exposure intensity/field strength not reported in abstract",
        "Sample size not reported in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "extremely low frequency",
        "ELF-EMF",
        "pulsed electromagnetic fields",
        "33 Hz",
        "50 Hz",
        "mouse",
        "in vitro",
        "pre-antral follicles",
        "follicle development",
        "antrum formation",
        "oestradiol",
        "granulosa cells",
        "DNA synthesis",
        "apoptosis",
        "oocyte",
        "meiotic maturation",
        "female reproduction"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "elf-reproduction",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "In-vitro study of pulsed ELF-EMF (33/50 Hz) effects on follicle development, hormone release, and oocyte maturation."
        }
    ]
}

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