[The effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure on the pH of the adult male semen and the motoricity parameters of spermatozoa in vitro].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of 50-Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure on the pH of the adult male semen and the motoricity and motoricity parameters of spermatozoa.


METHODS
Healthy adult male fresh semen was exposed to a 50-Hz EMF at 0.4 mT for 15, 30 and 60 min, respectively. The pH value of the semen, the motoricity and motoricity parameter of spermatozoa were detected and recorded in real time using the WLJY-9000 pattern chromatic color spermatozoa quality detection system.


RESULTS
Compared with parallel control group, the exposure of adult male fresh semen to a 50-Hz EMF at 0.4 mT for 15 min or 60 min could decrease significantly the motoricity (spermatozoa with a + b lever) and the activity ratio (spermatozoa with a + b + c lever)(P < 0.01). However, there were no significant differences of motoricity and the activity ratio between exposure group and control group (P > 0.05), and after exposure to a 50-Hz. EMF for 30 min the motoricity and the activity ratio of exposure group were inhibited, as compared with control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The pH value of the semen was not obvious changed (P > 0.05) when semen was exposed to a 50-Hz EMF of 0.4 mT for 15, 30 and 60 min.


CONCLUSIONS
In present experiment, it is suggested that the exposure of adult male fresh semen to a 50-Hz EMF in vitro could inhibit the motoricity and the activity ratio, but not affect the pH value of the semen within 60 min.
Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University Bioelectromagnetics Key Laboratory Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China.
Xiang-rong
XR
Xu
Hu
H
Lin
Xiao-xin
XX
Zhang
Jing-yi
JY
Li
Wei
W
Zhang
Wen-jun
WJ
Sun
Yong-miao
YM
Pan
D000328:Adult; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D013081:Sperm Motility