title: Effect of low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure on oocyte differentiation and follicular development.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) as an environmental factor on different organs including female reproductive system is of critical concern. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of low-frequency (LF)-EMF on oocyte differentiation and follicular development.
  
  
  METHODS
  The experiment was carried out in animal lab of Faculty of Medicine Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. For this purpose, the BALB/c mice were divided into control and experimental group in animal lab. The pregnant mice in the experimental group were exposed to 3 mT EMF field, 4 h/day during the pregnancy period. The LF-EMF was produced by a system using 50 Hz alternative current, in the control group the pregnant mice were kept in a similar condition without exposure to EMF. The neonatal mice from both groups were sacrificed immediately after birth and their ovary was dissected apart and prepared for light and electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Microscopy revealed that in the experimental group, in comparison to control group, oocyte nests were mostly broken and irregularly arranged. The primordial follicles were less developed and nuclei of oocytes with an electron microscope appeared heterochromatic, shrunken and had vacuolated cytoplasm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that exposure to EMF during the developmental period could affect both oocyte differentiation and folliculogenesis and may result in reduced fertility, by decreasing ovarian reservoir.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Science, Neuroscience Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roshangar
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analysis, Pharmacy College, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan, Iran.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hamdi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analysis, Pharmacy College, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan, Iran.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Science, Neuroscience Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: J Soleimani
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rad
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Alzahra Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soleimani-Rad
keywords: Atresia follicle; electromagnetic field; folliculogenesis; mice; neonatal