Comparison of polymerization and structural behavior of microtubules in rat brain and sperm affected by the extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field.

2019 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 1732

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Comparison of polymerization and structural behavior of microtubules in rat brain and sperm affected by the extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field. Gholami D, Riazi G, Fathi R, Sharafi M, Shahverdi A. Comparison of polymerization and structural behavior of microtubules in rat brain and sperm affected by the extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field. BMC Mol Cell Biol. 2019 Aug 29;20(1):41. doi: 10.1186/s12860-019-0224-1. Abstract BACKGROUND: Microtubule proteins are able to produce electromagnetic fields and have an important role in memory formation, and learning. Therefore, microtubules have the potential to be affected by exogenous electromagnetic fields. This study aimed to examine the comparison of microtubule polymerization and its structural behavior in brain and sperm affected by 50 Hz extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELEF). RESULTS: Twenties adult male rats were randomly and equally divided into control and experimental groups, to evaluate the effect of 50 Hz ELEF on the sperm and brain functions. Plus-maze, serum testosterone and corticosterone, and sperm evaluation were performed. Next, the semen and brain samples were obtained, and they were divided into four experimental groups for investigation of microtubule polymerization. There was no significant difference in testosterone and, corticosterone levels, anxiety behaviors, and sperm morphology between control and ELEF-exposure groups. The sperm viability, total and progressive motility were significantly higher in the ELEF-exposed group than that of the control group. The microtubule polymerization in sperm ELEF was significantly higher than in other groups. The secondary and tertiary structures of tubulins were significantly affected in the brain, and sperm ELEF groups. CONCLUSION: It seems that the polymerization of microtubules and conformational changes of tubulin dimers are improved by ELEF application. 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 typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationAdult male rats

Sample size20

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 20 adult male rats, 50 Hz extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure was associated with significantly higher sperm viability and total/progressive motility versus controls, while testosterone, corticosterone, anxiety behaviors, and sperm morphology did not differ significantly. Microtubule polymerization in sperm was significantly higher in the ELF-exposed group, and tubulin secondary/tertiary structures were significantly affected in brain and sperm ELF groups.

Outcomes measured

Plus-maze (anxiety behaviors)
Serum testosterone
Serum corticosterone
Sperm morphology
Sperm viability
Total sperm motility
Progressive sperm motility
Microtubule polymerization (brain and sperm samples)
Tubulin secondary structure
Tubulin tertiary structure

Limitations

Exposure duration not reported in abstract
Field strength/intensity not reported in abstract
Randomization/blinding details not reported in abstract
Outcomes include multiple comparisons; adjustment not described in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Adult male rats",
  "sample_size": 20,
  "outcomes": [
    "Plus-maze (anxiety behaviors)",
    "Serum testosterone",
    "Serum corticosterone",
    "Sperm morphology",
    "Sperm viability",
    "Total sperm motility",
    "Progressive sperm motility",
    "Microtubule polymerization (brain and sperm samples)",
    "Tubulin secondary structure",
    "Tubulin tertiary structure"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 20 adult male rats, 50 Hz extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure was associated with significantly higher sperm viability and total/progressive motility versus controls, while testosterone, corticosterone, anxiety behaviors, and sperm morphology did not differ significantly. Microtubule polymerization in sperm was significantly higher in the ELF-exposed group, and tubulin secondary/tertiary structures were significantly affected in brain and sperm ELF groups.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
    "Field strength/intensity not reported in abstract",
    "Randomization/blinding details not reported in abstract",
    "Outcomes include multiple comparisons; adjustment not described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field",
    "ELF",
    "50 Hz",
    "microtubules",
    "tubulin",
    "polymerization",
    "rat",
    "brain",
    "sperm",
    "motility",
    "viability",
    "testosterone",
    "corticosterone",
    "plus-maze"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "ELF (50 Hz) exposure is relevant to common power-frequency environments, though the abstract does not specify an occupational setting."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1186/s12860-019-0224-1
PubMed: Not supplied

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