The Effects of Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to 50-Hz and 3 mT Electromagnetic Field on Rat Testicular Development

PAPER manual 2022 Animal study Effect: harm Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.3390/medicina59010071 Evidence Lab

Abstract

The Effects of Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to 50-Hz and 3 mT Electromagnetic Field on Rat Testicular Development Ersoy N, Acikgoz B, Aksu I, Kiray A, Bagriyanik HA, Kiray M. The Effects of Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to 50- Hz and 3 mT Electromagnetic Field on Rat Testicular Development. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Dec 29;59(1):71. doi: 10.3390/medicina59010071. Abstract Background and objectives: It has been shown that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have negative effects on the reproductive system. The biological effects of EMF on the male reproductive system are controversial and vary depending on the frequency and exposure time. Although a limited number of studies have focused on the structural and functional effects of EMF, the effects of prenatal and postnatal EMF exposure on testes are not clear. We aimed to investigate the effects of 50-Hz, 3-mT EMF exposure (5 days/wk, 4 h/day) during pre- and postnatal periods on testis development. Materials and Methods: Pups from three groups of Sprague-Dawley pregnant rats were used: Sham, EMF-28 (EMF-exposure applied during pregnancy and until postnatal day 28), EMF-42 (EMF-exposure applied during pregnancy and until postnatal day 42). The testis tissues and blood samples of male offspring were collected on the postnatal day 42. Results: Morphometric analyses showed a decrease in seminiferous tubule diameter as a result of testicular degeneration in the EMF-42 group. Follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were decreased in the EMF-42 group. Lipid peroxidation levels were increased in both EMF groups, while antioxidant levels were decreased only in the EMF-28 group. We found decreased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) in the EMF-42 group, and decreased levels of the SRC homology 3 (SH3) and multiple ankyrin repeat domain (SHANK3) in the EMF-28 group in the testis tissue. Conclusions: EMF exposure during pre- and postnatal periods may cause deterioration in the structure and function of testis and decrease in growing factors that would affect testicular functions in male rat pups. In addition to the oxidative stress observed in testis, decreased SHANK3, VEGF, and IGF1 protein levels suggests that these proteins may be mediators in testis affected by EMF exposure. This study shows that EMF exposure during embryonic development and adolescence can cause apoptosis and structural changes in the testis. Open access paper: mdpi.com

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

harm

Population

Sprague-Dawley rats (male offspring from pregnant rats)

Sample size

—

Exposure

ELF · 0.05 MHz · 5 days/wk, 4 h/day; during pregnancy through postnatal day 28 (EMF-28) or through postnatal day 42 (EMF-42)

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

In the EMF-42 group, seminiferous tubule diameter decreased with testicular degeneration, and FSH and LH levels were decreased. Lipid peroxidation increased in both EMF groups, while antioxidant levels decreased only in EMF-28; VEGF and IGF1 decreased in EMF-42, and SH3 and SHANK3 decreased in EMF-28. The authors conclude prenatal and postnatal 50-Hz, 3-mT exposure may deteriorate testis structure/function and is associated with apoptosis and structural changes.

Outcomes measured

Testicular morphometry (seminiferous tubule diameter; degeneration)
FSH levels
LH levels
Lipid peroxidation
Antioxidant levels
VEGF levels in testis tissue
IGF1 levels in testis tissue
SH3 levels in testis tissue
SHANK3 levels in testis tissue
Apoptosis in testis
Structural changes in testis

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Animal study; generalizability to humans not established in abstract
Exposure source/setup details not described in abstract
Outcome assessment methods and blinding not described in abstract

Suggested hubs

occupational-exposure (0.25)
Study uses 50-Hz ELF magnetic field exposure, a frequency relevant to power-frequency/occupational contexts, though no specific workplace source is stated.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 0.05000000000000000277555756156289135105907917022705078125,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "5 days/wk, 4 h/day; during pregnancy through postnatal day 28 (EMF-28) or through postnatal day 42 (EMF-42)"
    },
    "population": "Sprague-Dawley rats (male offspring from pregnant rats)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Testicular morphometry (seminiferous tubule diameter; degeneration)",
        "FSH levels",
        "LH levels",
        "Lipid peroxidation",
        "Antioxidant levels",
        "VEGF levels in testis tissue",
        "IGF1 levels in testis tissue",
        "SH3 levels in testis tissue",
        "SHANK3 levels in testis tissue",
        "Apoptosis in testis",
        "Structural changes in testis"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In the EMF-42 group, seminiferous tubule diameter decreased with testicular degeneration, and FSH and LH levels were decreased. Lipid peroxidation increased in both EMF groups, while antioxidant levels decreased only in EMF-28; VEGF and IGF1 decreased in EMF-42, and SH3 and SHANK3 decreased in EMF-28. The authors conclude prenatal and postnatal 50-Hz, 3-mT exposure may deteriorate testis structure/function and is associated with apoptosis and structural changes.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Animal study; generalizability to humans not established in abstract",
        "Exposure source/setup details not described in abstract",
        "Outcome assessment methods and blinding not described in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "electromagnetic field",
        "ELF-EMF",
        "50 Hz",
        "3 mT",
        "prenatal exposure",
        "postnatal exposure",
        "rat",
        "testis",
        "testicular development",
        "seminiferous tubule",
        "FSH",
        "LH",
        "oxidative stress",
        "lipid peroxidation",
        "antioxidant",
        "VEGF",
        "IGF1",
        "SHANK3",
        "apoptosis"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.25,
            "reason": "Study uses 50-Hz ELF magnetic field exposure, a frequency relevant to power-frequency/occupational contexts, though no specific workplace source is stated."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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