Evaluation of the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on mammalian follicle development.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England) · 2000 · Harm · Low evidence

← Research stream

HarmLow evidencePaper 5336

Study snapshot

PublicationHuman reproduction (Oxford, England) · 2000

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pulsed, extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on in-vitro mouse pre-antral follicle development. Pre-antral follicles were cultured for 5 days and exposed to ELF-EMF at the frequencies of 33 or 50 Hz. ELF-EMF application did not affect follicular growth over a 3 day culture period, but on day 5 the growth of 33 Hz-exposed follicles was significantly reduced when compared with controls, while the 50 Hz-exposed follicles were not significantly affected. However, ELF-EMF severely impaired antrum formation at both frequencies, as 79 +/- 3% of control follicles developed antral cavities compared with 30 +/- 6% and 51.6 +/- 4% of 33 or 50 Hz-exposed follicles respectively. The follicles with failed antrum formation showed lower oestradiol release and granulosa cell DNA synthesis, but these effects were not related to granulosa cell apoptosis. Furthermore, a high percentage of the in-vitro grown oocytes obtained from exposed follicles had a reduced ability to resume meiotic maturation when compared with controls. These results suggest that ELF-EMF exposure might impair mammalian female reproductive potentiality by reducing the capacity of the follicles to reach a developmental stage that is an essential pre-requisite for reproductive success.

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 typein_vitro

Effect directionharm

PopulationIn-vitro mouse pre-antral follicles (oocytes obtained from exposed follicles)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 5 days (in-vitro culture exposure); outcomes reported at days 3 and 5

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Mouse pre-antral follicles cultured for 5 days and exposed to pulsed ELF-EMF at 33 or 50 Hz showed no growth effect over 3 days; by day 5, growth was significantly reduced at 33 Hz versus controls, while 50 Hz was not significantly different. Antrum formation was markedly reduced at both frequencies (controls 79±3% vs 30±6% at 33 Hz and 51.6±4% at 50 Hz), with failed antrum formation associated with lower oestradiol release and granulosa cell DNA synthesis; these effects were not related to granulosa cell apoptosis. Oocytes from exposed follicles had reduced ability to resume meiotic maturation compared with controls.

Outcomes measured

Follicular growth
Antrum formation (antral cavity development)
Oestradiol release
Granulosa cell DNA synthesis
Granulosa cell apoptosis (relation assessed)
Oocyte meiotic maturation (ability to resume maturation)

Limitations

In-vitro mouse follicle model; relevance to in-vivo or human reproductive outcomes not established in abstract
Exposure intensity/field strength not reported in abstract
Sample size not reported in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "5 days (in-vitro culture exposure); outcomes reported at days 3 and 5"
  },
  "population": "In-vitro mouse pre-antral follicles (oocytes obtained from exposed follicles)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Follicular growth",
    "Antrum formation (antral cavity development)",
    "Oestradiol release",
    "Granulosa cell DNA synthesis",
    "Granulosa cell apoptosis (relation assessed)",
    "Oocyte meiotic maturation (ability to resume maturation)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Mouse pre-antral follicles cultured for 5 days and exposed to pulsed ELF-EMF at 33 or 50 Hz showed no growth effect over 3 days; by day 5, growth was significantly reduced at 33 Hz versus controls, while 50 Hz was not significantly different. Antrum formation was markedly reduced at both frequencies (controls 79±3% vs 30±6% at 33 Hz and 51.6±4% at 50 Hz), with failed antrum formation associated with lower oestradiol release and granulosa cell DNA synthesis; these effects were not related to granulosa cell apoptosis. Oocytes from exposed follicles had reduced ability to resume meiotic maturation compared with controls.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "In-vitro mouse follicle model; relevance to in-vivo or human reproductive outcomes not established in abstract",
    "Exposure intensity/field strength not reported in abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "pulsed electromagnetic fields",
    "33 Hz",
    "50 Hz",
    "mouse",
    "in vitro",
    "pre-antral follicles",
    "follicle development",
    "antrum formation",
    "oestradiol",
    "granulosa cells",
    "DNA synthesis",
    "apoptosis",
    "oocyte",
    "meiotic maturation",
    "female reproduction"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elf-reproduction",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "In-vitro study of pulsed ELF-EMF (33/50 Hz) effects on follicle development, hormone release, and oocyte maturation."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.1093/humrep/15.11.2319
PubMed: 11056125

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library