Consequences of Electromagnetic Field Radiation During Early Pregnancy - Androgen Synthesis and Release From the Myometrium of Pigs in Vitro

Animal reproduction science · 2020 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 1483

Study snapshot

PublicationAnimal reproduction science · 2020

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Consequences of Electromagnetic Field Radiation During Early Pregnancy - Androgen Synthesis and Release From the Myometrium of Pigs in Vitro Anita Franczak, Ewa M Waszkiewicz, Wiktoria Kozlowska, Agata Zmijewska, Anna Koziorowska. Consequences of Electromagnetic Field Radiation During Early Pregnancy - Androgen Synthesis and Release From the Myometrium of Pigs in Vitro. Animal Reproduction Science. Vol. 218, July 2020, 106465. doi.org. Highlights * EMF radiation causes alterations in myometrial androgens synthesis and release. * The consequences of EMF mainly depend on the frequency and duration of EMF exposure. * The presence of P4 does not protect from EMF during the peri-implantation period. Abstract An electromagnetic field (EMF) has been found to affect reproductive processes in females. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of low, non-ionizing EMF radiation on the steroidogenic activity of myometrium collected from pigs during the fetal peri-implantation period. Myometrial slices were treated with an EMF (50 and 120 Hz, 2 and 4 h of incubation) and examined for the aromatase cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/C17- 20lyase (CYP17A1) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 isomerase (HSD3B1) mRNA transcript abundance, cytochrome P450c17 and 3βHSD protein abundance and the secretion of androstenedione (A4) and testosterone (T). To determine whether progesterone (P4) functions as a protectant from EMF radiation, the selected slices were treated with P4. In slices incubated without P4, EMF at 50 Hz altered cytochrome P450c17 protein abundance (4 h), HSD3B1 mRNA transcript abundance (4 h) and A4 release (2 h) as well as T release (2 h) in P4-treated slices. The EMF at 120 Hz in non P4-treated slices altered A4 release (2 and 4 h) whereas in P4- treated slices altered CYP17A1 mRNA transcript abundance (4 h), 3βHSD protein abundance (4 h), A4 (4 h) and T release (2 h). In conclusion, EMF radiation in the myometrium collected during the peri-implantation period alters the CYP17A1 and HSD3B1 mRNA transcript and encoded protein abundance, and androgen release due to the time of treatment and P4 presence or absence. The P4 did not function directly as an obvious protector against EMF radiation in the myometrium of pigs during the fetal peri-implantation period. 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 directionharm

PopulationPig myometrium (peri-implantation period) slices in vitro

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 2 and 4 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Myometrial slices exposed to low, non-ionizing EMF at 50 Hz or 120 Hz for 2 or 4 hours showed alterations in steroidogenic enzyme mRNA/protein abundance (CYP17A1/P450c17 and HSD3B1/3βHSD) and in androgen release (A4 and T), with patterns depending on frequency, exposure duration, and whether progesterone (P4) was present. P4 was not an obvious protector against EMF effects during the peri-implantation period in this in vitro model.

Outcomes measured

CYP17A1 mRNA transcript abundance
HSD3B1 mRNA transcript abundance
Cytochrome P450c17 protein abundance
3βHSD protein abundance
Androstenedione (A4) release
Testosterone (T) release
Effect modification by progesterone (P4) presence/absence

Limitations

In vitro study using myometrial slices; may not generalize to in vivo pregnancy outcomes
No sample size reported in the provided abstract/metadata
Exposure characterization limited to frequency (50/120 Hz) and incubation time (2/4 h); other dosimetry details not provided

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 and 4 h"
  },
  "population": "Pig myometrium (peri-implantation period) slices in vitro",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "CYP17A1 mRNA transcript abundance",
    "HSD3B1 mRNA transcript abundance",
    "Cytochrome P450c17 protein abundance",
    "3βHSD protein abundance",
    "Androstenedione (A4) release",
    "Testosterone (T) release",
    "Effect modification by progesterone (P4) presence/absence"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Myometrial slices exposed to low, non-ionizing EMF at 50 Hz or 120 Hz for 2 or 4 hours showed alterations in steroidogenic enzyme mRNA/protein abundance (CYP17A1/P450c17 and HSD3B1/3βHSD) and in androgen release (A4 and T), with patterns depending on frequency, exposure duration, and whether progesterone (P4) was present. P4 was not an obvious protector against EMF effects during the peri-implantation period in this in vitro model.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study using myometrial slices; may not generalize to in vivo pregnancy outcomes",
    "No sample size reported in the provided abstract/metadata",
    "Exposure characterization limited to frequency (50/120 Hz) and incubation time (2/4 h); other dosimetry details not provided"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic field",
    "ELF",
    "50 Hz",
    "120 Hz",
    "myometrium",
    "pig",
    "peri-implantation",
    "pregnancy",
    "steroidogenesis",
    "CYP17A1",
    "HSD3B1",
    "androstenedione",
    "testosterone",
    "progesterone"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "pregnancy-reproduction",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "Assesses EMF effects on reproductive tissue (myometrium) during peri-implantation period and androgen synthesis/release."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106465
PubMed: 32507253

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