The effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on synthesis and release of steroid hormones by the porcine conceptuses during the peri-implantation period

Reproduction, fertility, and development · 2022 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 823

In conceptus fragments incubated without progesterone (P4), EMF at 120 Hz decreased A4 and T release after 2 h and increased E1 release at 50 Hz and 120 Hz after 4 h. In P4-treated fragments, EMF (50 and 120 Hz, 4 h) decreased CYP19A3 mRNA transcript abundanc…

Study snapshot

PublicationReproduction, fertility, and development · 2022

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on synthesis and release of steroid hormones by the porcine conceptuses during the peri-implantation period Anita Franczak, Ewa Monika Drzewiecka, Wiktoria Kozlowska, Agata Zmijewska, Pawel Jozef Wydorski, Anna Koziorowska. The effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on synthesis and release of steroid hormones by the porcine conceptuses during the peri-implantation period. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2022 May 2. doi: 10.1071/RD22040. Abstract Context: Electrical devices and power systems are the sources of EM-waves which propagate everywhere in the environment. Aims: The study aimed to determine whether EMF induced changes in the steroidogenesis of conceptuses and whether progesterone (P4) may be a possible protectant against the effects of EMF radiation. Methods: The entire porcine conceptuses were collected during the peri-implantation period (days 15-16 of pregnancy), divided into fragments (100mg) and treated in vitro with EMF (50Hz or 120Hz, 2 or 4h exposure), and examined to determine of CYP17A1, HSD3B1, CYP19A3, and HSD17B4 mRNA transcript and encoded protein abundance and the release of steroid hormones. Selected fragments of conceptuses were treated with P4. Key results: In conceptuses incubated without P4, EMF at 120Hz decreased androstenedione (A4) and testosterone (T) release after 2h and increased oestrone (E1) release at 50Hz and 120Hz after 4h exposure. In P4-treated conceptuses, EMF (50 and 120Hz, 4h exposure) decreased CYP19A3 mRNA transcript abundance, and increased (120Hz, 2h exposure) oestradiol-17β (E2) release. Conclusions: The EMF radiation alters androgen and oestrogen synthesis and release from the conceptuses of pigs during the peri-implantation period. The P4 exerts protective effects on androgens and E1 release but it sensitises the conceptuses when comes to the mechanism of oestrogen synthesis and release during EMF radiation. Implications: The effect of EMF radiation on the steroidogenic pathway in conceptuses may induce disturbances in their proper development and implantation. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionmixed

PopulationPorcine conceptuses (peri-implantation; days 15–16 of pregnancy), fragments incubated in vitro

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 2 or 4 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

CYP17A1 mRNA transcript abundance
HSD3B1 mRNA transcript abundance
CYP19A3 mRNA transcript abundance
HSD17B4 mRNA transcript abundance
CYP17A1 protein abundance
HSD3B1 protein abundance
CYP19A3 protein abundance
HSD17B4 protein abundance
Release of androstenedione (A4)
Release of testosterone (T)
Release of oestrone (E1)
Release of oestradiol-17β (E2)

Limitations

In vitro study using conceptus fragments; may not reflect in vivo pregnancy outcomes
Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure metrics beyond frequency and duration (e.g., field strength) not reported in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "electrical devices and power systems (general)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 or 4 h"
  },
  "population": "Porcine conceptuses (peri-implantation; days 15–16 of pregnancy), fragments incubated in vitro",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "CYP17A1 mRNA transcript abundance",
    "HSD3B1 mRNA transcript abundance",
    "CYP19A3 mRNA transcript abundance",
    "HSD17B4 mRNA transcript abundance",
    "CYP17A1 protein abundance",
    "HSD3B1 protein abundance",
    "CYP19A3 protein abundance",
    "HSD17B4 protein abundance",
    "Release of androstenedione (A4)",
    "Release of testosterone (T)",
    "Release of oestrone (E1)",
    "Release of oestradiol-17β (E2)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In conceptus fragments incubated without progesterone (P4), EMF at 120 Hz decreased A4 and T release after 2 h and increased E1 release at 50 Hz and 120 Hz after 4 h. In P4-treated fragments, EMF (50 and 120 Hz, 4 h) decreased CYP19A3 mRNA transcript abundance and EMF (120 Hz, 2 h) increased E2 release.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study using conceptus fragments; may not reflect in vivo pregnancy outcomes",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure metrics beyond frequency and duration (e.g., field strength) not reported in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic field",
    "ELF",
    "50 Hz",
    "120 Hz",
    "porcine conceptus",
    "peri-implantation",
    "steroidogenesis",
    "progesterone",
    "androgens",
    "oestrogens",
    "CYP19A3"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elf-emf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Exposure frequencies are 50 Hz and 120 Hz (extremely low frequency EMF)."
    },
    {
      "slug": "reproduction-fertility",
      "weight": 0.85,
      "reason": "Assesses steroid hormone synthesis/release in peri-implantation porcine conceptuses."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1071/rd22040
PubMed: 35491406

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