Influence of a 50 hz extra low frequency electromagnetic field on spermatozoa motility and fertilization rates in rabbits.

Journal of environmental science and health. Part A, Toxic/hazardous substances & environmental engineering · 2009 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4938

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of environmental science and health. Part A, Toxic/hazardous substances & environmental engineering · 2009

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effects of a 50 Hz extra-low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF) on in vitro rabbit spermatozoa motility were analyzed, as well as the effect on fertilization rates after insemination. Pooled semen samples and a control were exposed to 50 Hz ELF EMF. The difference of the samples of the test groups G1 and G2 with the control group CG (75.56%) for spermatozoa motility were found to be significant (P < 0.01). Differences were significant (P < 0.01) for curvilinear velocity (VCL) between the test group G3 (122.38 microm/s) and the control group CG (112.02 microm/s). Hormonally stimulated adult (9-12 months) females (n = 140) were inseminated with semen samples from G1, G2, G3 and CG (0.88 x 109 spermatozoa/0.5 mL average insemination portion) immediately after ELF EMF exposure and fertilization (kindling) rates were calculated. For the G2 it was 54.28% data indicate 50 Hz ELF EMF induced alterations of spermatozoa motility and kindling rate in rabbits, therefore influencing fertility.

Machine Enhanced Logic

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

PopulationRabbits (in vitro spermatozoa; hormonally stimulated adult females 9–12 months)

Sample size140

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Pooled rabbit semen samples exposed to 50 Hz ELF EMF showed significant differences in spermatozoa motility versus control (control motility 75.56%; P<0.01 for comparisons with G1 and G2). Curvilinear velocity (VCL) differed significantly between test group G3 (122.38 µm/s) and control (112.02 µm/s) (P<0.01). After insemination of hormonally stimulated females (n=140) with exposed vs control semen, kindling rates were calculated; for G2 the kindling rate was 54.28%, and the authors conclude ELF EMF induced alterations in motility and kindling rate influencing fertility.

Outcomes measured

Spermatozoa motility
Curvilinear velocity (VCL)
Fertilization (kindling) rate

Limitations

Exposure duration and field strength/intensity not reported in the abstract
Direction and magnitude of motility changes for all groups (G1, G2, G3) not fully reported in the abstract
Kindling/fertilization rates for groups other than G2 and control not reported in the abstract
Use of pooled semen samples may limit inference to individual variability

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Rabbits (in vitro spermatozoa; hormonally stimulated adult females 9–12 months)",
  "sample_size": 140,
  "outcomes": [
    "Spermatozoa motility",
    "Curvilinear velocity (VCL)",
    "Fertilization (kindling) rate"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Pooled rabbit semen samples exposed to 50 Hz ELF EMF showed significant differences in spermatozoa motility versus control (control motility 75.56%; P<0.01 for comparisons with G1 and G2). Curvilinear velocity (VCL) differed significantly between test group G3 (122.38 µm/s) and control (112.02 µm/s) (P<0.01). After insemination of hormonally stimulated females (n=140) with exposed vs control semen, kindling rates were calculated; for G2 the kindling rate was 54.28%, and the authors conclude ELF EMF induced alterations in motility and kindling rate influencing fertility.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure duration and field strength/intensity not reported in the abstract",
    "Direction and magnitude of motility changes for all groups (G1, G2, G3) not fully reported in the abstract",
    "Kindling/fertilization rates for groups other than G2 and control not reported in the abstract",
    "Use of pooled semen samples may limit inference to individual variability"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "50 Hz",
    "ELF EMF",
    "rabbit",
    "spermatozoa",
    "motility",
    "curvilinear velocity",
    "fertilization",
    "kindling rate",
    "in vitro exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Rabbit sperm and fertility outcomes following ELF EMF exposure."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1080/10934520902997029
PubMed: 19827497

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