title: Effects of exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields on spermatogenesis in adult rats.
abstract: The constant exposure of modern society to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) has raised considerable concerns about the potential risks to male reproduction. However, the epidemiological and experimental data remain contradictory and inconclusive. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 50 Hz ELF-MF of 500 µT applied 4 h/day, 7 days/week for 4 and 8 weeks on male reproduction, focusing on changes in spermatogenesis. Several biological endpoints related to testicular function and spermatogenesis were measured, including the following: body mass, masses of testes and epididymis, sperm count and abnormal sperm ratio in the caudal epididymis, serum testosterone level, testicular histology, frequency of 14 stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium and of four stages of meiosis I, germ cell apoptosis and testicular oxidative status. No significant differences were found in the biological endpoints between the sham control and the exposed rats in either the 4- or 8-week exposure period. These negative results may result from the lack of change in serum testosterone. In conclusion, our study indicates that exposure to low intensity ELF-MF may have no adverse effects on spermatogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Weixia
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Chuan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hongjuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chunhai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Zhengping
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Zhou
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000528:radiation effects; D004822:Epididymis / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D060526:Magnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D009929:Organ Size; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000528:radiation effects; D011897:Random Allocation; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000528:radiation effects; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone
keywords: extremely low frequency magnetic fields; meiosis I; oxidative stress; seminiferous epithelium; spermatogenesis