title: Down-regulation of metallothionein 1 and 2 after exposure to electromagnetic field in mouse testis.
abstract: It is proved that testis is sensitive to electromagnetic field (EMF) and its damage results in infertility. Exposure to EMF induces reactive oxygen species production and affects on anti-oxidants defense mechanisms. Metallothionein (MT) is a name for a group of low molecular weight (6-7 kDa), sulfhydryl rich proteins. Expression of MT1 and MT2 genes in testis tissue after EMF exposure was aimed in this study.
  
  
  
  Male BALB/c mice (8 weeks old) were exposed to 3 MT EMF for 8 weeks, 4 hours/day. After 8 weeks, the mice were sacrificed and the testis tissue was removed. The testis pieces were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and analyzed under an optical microscope. Assessment of MT1 and MT2 genes and also protein expression was performed by real-time PCR and Western-blot, respectively.
  
  
  
  In light microscopic observation, the number of primary spermatocytes was increased significantly in EMF group (P < 0.01). In addition, in interstitial space, the number of leydig cells was increased significantly in EMF group (P < 0.01) and basement membrane thickness was increased as well. MT1 and MT2 genes were down-regulated significantly in testis tissue of mice exposed to EMF both in mRNA and protein level compared to control.
  
  
  
  It is clear that MT is mediated in testis development and spermatogenesis. Down-regulation of MT1 and MT2 after EMF in mouse testis might be followed by some consequences that result in infertility.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ebrahimi-Kalan
authors.affiliation: Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Blood Transfusion Organization, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehryar Habibi
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Roudkenar
authors.affiliation: Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Blood Transfusion Organization, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Raheleh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Halabian
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Peiman Broki
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Milan
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zarrintan
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of  Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Amaneh Mohammadi
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Roushandeh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: C491054:Mt2 protein, mouse; C525355:metallothionein-1, mouse; D008668:Metallothionein