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. 2016 Feb;14(2):125-32.

The effect of Non- ionizing electromagnetic field with a frequency of 50 Hz in Rat ovary: A transmission electron microscopy study

Amir Afshin Khaki  1 , Arash Khaki  2 , Seyed Shahin Ahmadi  1
Affiliations

The effect of Non- ionizing electromagnetic field with a frequency of 50 Hz in Rat ovary: A transmission electron microscopy study

Amir Afshin Khaki et al. Int J Reprod Biomed. 2016 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Recently, there are increasing concerns and interests about the potential effects of Electromagnetic Field (EMF) on both human and animal health.

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the harmful effects of 50 Hz non-ionizing EMF on rat oocytes.

Materials and methods: In this experimental study 30 rats were randomly taken from laboratory animals and their ags and weights were determined. These 3 month's old rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. The control group consisted of 10 rats without receiving any treatment and kept under normal conditions. Experimental group 1 (10 rats) received EMF for 8 weeks (3 weeks intrauterine +5 weeks after births) and experimental group 2 (10 rats) received EMF for 13 weeks (3 weeks intrauterine +10 weeks after birth). After removing the ovaries and isolating follicles, granulosa cells were fixed in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide. Electron microscopy was used to investigate the traumatic effects of EMF on follicles.

Results: In control group nucleus membrane and mitochondria in follicle's cytoplasm seemed normal in appearance. Theca layer of primary follicles in experimental group was separated clearly, zona layer demonstrated trot with irregular thickness and ovarian stroma seemed isolated with dilated vessels showing infiltration.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that EMF has harmful effects on the ovarian follicles.

Keywords: Electromagnetic field; Organelles; Ovary; Rat.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Ovary of control group 1: Electron micrograph of microvilli (MI) and cytoplasmic projection visible in the zona pellucida (zp) (32000×).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ovary in experimental group 1: Electron micrograph showed theca cells with nuclei in different stages of heterochromatinization, a sign of degeneration. Vacuolization is obvious (arrow) (8000×).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Ovary Experimental Group 1-2: Follicular cell with a highly indented and heterochromatic nucleus (N) with indistinct nuclear membrane seen in the photomicrograph. Mitochondrial cristae are decreased (arrow head). Lipid droplets and vacuolization is clearly visible (arrow) (33000 X
Figure 4
Figure 4
Ovaryin experimental group 2: Electron micrograph with precapillary prominent endothelial cells. Nucleus is heterochromatic and swollen (arrow). Mitochondria, golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) and free ribosomes are seen in the cytoplasm (20000×).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Ovary in experimental group 2: Electronmicrograph of a cell from granulosa layer with an irregular dark nucleus (N) with several intracytoplasmic empty vacuoles and dark granules. The vacuoles have a ‘soap sud’ appearance (arrow) (17000×).
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