Evaluation of hormonal change, biochemical parameters, and histopathological status of uterus in rats exposed to 50-Hz electromagnetic field.

Toxicology and industrial health · 2009 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4954

Study snapshot

PublicationToxicology and industrial health · 2009

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of the electromagnetic field (EMF) resulting from the 170 kV high-voltage power lines on hormonal status, on progesterone and 17-beta estradiol levels, and on morphology of the uterus and ovaries associated with biochemical parameters of adult Wistar female rats. The rats were assigned to experimental (21) and control groups (7). The rats in the experimental group were housed in a wooden barn with 7.5 m vertical distance to the power line. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were exposed continuously (24 h) to electric-electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) (48.21 +/- 1.58 mG) for 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively. The rats of group 4 served as the control and were placed in laboratory conditions (The average value of the ELF was 0.75 +/- 0.05 V/m. The value of the EMF was calculated to be 0.48 +/- 0.05 mG.). Significant (P < 0.05) decreases were determined among the groups in terms of reproductive organ weights (uterus and ovaries) and progesterone and estrogen levels in relation to the varying periods of the estrous cycle. Although marked reductions (P < 0.05) were observed among the groups in relation to plasma catalase activity, depending on exposure time, no significant differences were found in terms of glutathione and malondialdehyde levels. It is concluded that exposure to the ELF-EMFs for different time periods produced significant decreases in plasma catalase activities in the 3-month exposure groups but no effects on progesterone level, on 17-beta estradiol level, or on the morphology and weight of uterus and ovaries.

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AI evidence extraction

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Study typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationAdult Wistar female rats

Sample size28

ExposureELF · continuous (24 h/day) for 1, 2, or 3 months

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Rats exposed continuously to 50-Hz ELF-EMFs from 170 kV power lines (reported as 48.21 ± 1.58 mG) for 1–3 months showed significant decreases among groups in reproductive organ weights and progesterone/estrogen levels (P<0.05) and marked reductions in plasma catalase activity depending on exposure time (P<0.05), while glutathione and malondialdehyde did not differ significantly. The authors conclude that ELF-EMF exposure decreased plasma catalase activity in the 3-month group but had no effects on progesterone, 17-beta estradiol, or uterus/ovary morphology and weights.

Outcomes measured

Progesterone levels
17-beta estradiol levels
Uterus weight
Ovary weight
Uterus morphology/histopathology
Ovary morphology
Plasma catalase activity
Glutathione levels
Malondialdehyde levels

Limitations

Small control group size (control n=7)
Exposure described as from proximity to high-voltage power lines; potential for uncontrolled environmental factors in barn vs laboratory housing
Apparent inconsistency between reported significant decreases in hormones/organ weights and the stated conclusion of no effects on these endpoints

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "high-voltage power lines",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "continuous (24 h/day) for 1, 2, or 3 months"
  },
  "population": "Adult Wistar female rats",
  "sample_size": 28,
  "outcomes": [
    "Progesterone levels",
    "17-beta estradiol levels",
    "Uterus weight",
    "Ovary weight",
    "Uterus morphology/histopathology",
    "Ovary morphology",
    "Plasma catalase activity",
    "Glutathione levels",
    "Malondialdehyde levels"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Rats exposed continuously to 50-Hz ELF-EMFs from 170 kV power lines (reported as 48.21 ± 1.58 mG) for 1–3 months showed significant decreases among groups in reproductive organ weights and progesterone/estrogen levels (P<0.05) and marked reductions in plasma catalase activity depending on exposure time (P<0.05), while glutathione and malondialdehyde did not differ significantly. The authors conclude that ELF-EMF exposure decreased plasma catalase activity in the 3-month group but had no effects on progesterone, 17-beta estradiol, or uterus/ovary morphology and weights.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Small control group size (control n=7)",
    "Exposure described as from proximity to high-voltage power lines; potential for uncontrolled environmental factors in barn vs laboratory housing",
    "Apparent inconsistency between reported significant decreases in hormones/organ weights and the stated conclusion of no effects on these endpoints"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "high-voltage power lines",
    "rats",
    "uterus",
    "ovary",
    "progesterone",
    "estradiol",
    "catalase",
    "oxidative stress"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Exposure source is high-voltage power lines (environmental/utility-related ELF field), relevant to power-line/utility exposure contexts."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1177/0748233709102717
PubMed: 19482908

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