[Alternating magnetic field damages the reproductive function of murine testes].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship between physical and biological effects of alternating magnetic field and study the influence of the magnetic field on the reproductive function of murine testes.


METHODS
Thirty ICR mice were randomized into 5 groups: normal control, X-ray radiation, weak magnetic field (1000 Hz), 1 h strong magnetic field and 2 h strong magnetic field (2000 Hz). The mice were sacrificed at 7 days after the exposure for the analysis of testicular sperm motility, observation of histopathological changes in the testis by HE staining and evaluation of the changes by modified Johnsen grade criteria.


RESULTS
The rates of sperm motility were (42.37 +/- 10.24)% in the normal control group, (39.00 +/- 12.35)% in the X-ray radiation group, (36.00 +/- 17.28)% in the weak magnetic field group, (10.72 +/- 5.67)% in the 1 h strong magnetic field group and (4.44 +/- 2.87)% in the 2 h strong magnetic field group, respectively. Johnsen's scores decreased and the testis damage increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner.


CONCLUSIONS
Magnetic field, either strong or weak, may damage the testis function by inducing injury to seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells, thickening of the basal membrane, derangement, exfoliation, massive apoptosis and necrosis of spermatogenic cells in the lumen, situation of the epididymis, and consequently the absence of sperm.
Cao
Xing-wu
XW
Department of Andrology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Health Ministry of China, Beijing 100029, China. jyxcxw@163.com
Zhao
Tian-de
TD
Wang
Chuan-hang
CH
Zhou
Qiang
Q
Li
Lan-qun
LQ
Yao
Huai-guo
HG
Zhang
Sheng-Qiang
SQ
Tang
Jing-tian
JT
Wei
Wei
W
D000818:Animals; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects*