Effect of low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure on oocyte differentiation and follicular development.

Advanced biomedical research · 2014 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 4698

Pregnant mice exposed to a 50 Hz, 3 mT electromagnetic field for 4 h/day during pregnancy had neonatal offspring whose ovaries showed mostly broken and irregularly arranged oocyte nests, less developed primordial follicles, and oocytes with heterochromatic/sh…

Study snapshot

PublicationAdvanced biomedical research · 2014

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

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. MATERIALS AND 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. RESULT: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.

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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 directionharm

PopulationPregnant BALB/c mice and neonatal offspring (ovaries examined immediately after birth)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 4 h/day during pregnancy period

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Oocyte differentiation (oocyte nests morphology)
Follicular development/folliculogenesis (primordial follicle development)
Ovarian ultrastructure (oocyte nuclei/cytoplasm features on electron microscopy)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Outcomes are morphological (microscopy) with no direct fertility endpoints reported in abstract
Exposure details beyond frequency, field strength, and daily duration are not described (e.g., exposure setup specifics, dosimetry)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "4 h/day during pregnancy period"
  },
  "population": "Pregnant BALB/c mice and neonatal offspring (ovaries examined immediately after birth)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Oocyte differentiation (oocyte nests morphology)",
    "Follicular development/folliculogenesis (primordial follicle development)",
    "Ovarian ultrastructure (oocyte nuclei/cytoplasm features on electron microscopy)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Pregnant mice exposed to a 50 Hz, 3 mT electromagnetic field for 4 h/day during pregnancy had neonatal offspring whose ovaries showed mostly broken and irregularly arranged oocyte nests, less developed primordial follicles, and oocytes with heterochromatic/shrunken nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm compared with controls.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Outcomes are morphological (microscopy) with no direct fertility endpoints reported in abstract",
    "Exposure details beyond frequency, field strength, and daily duration are not described (e.g., exposure setup specifics, dosimetry)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "low-frequency electromagnetic field",
    "50 Hz",
    "3 mT",
    "pregnancy exposure",
    "mouse",
    "ovary",
    "oocyte differentiation",
    "folliculogenesis",
    "primordial follicles",
    "electron microscopy"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Study involves ELF (50 Hz) magnetic field exposure, which can be relevant to occupational ELF contexts, though the exposure source is not specified as occupational."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.4103/2277-9175.125874
PubMed: 24627884

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