Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Radiation Alters Estrogen Release from the Pig Myometrium during the Peri-Implantation Period.

International journal of molecular sciences · 2021 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5698

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of molecular sciences · 2021

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

An electromagnetic field (EMF) may affect the functions of uterine tissues. This study hypothesized that EMF changes the estrogenic activity of pig myometrium during the peri-implantation period. Tissue was collected on days 15-16 of the gestation and incubated in the presence of EMF (50 and 120 Hz, 2 and 4 h). The () and () mRNA transcript abundance, cytochrome P450arom (aromatase), and 17 hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 17HSD) protein abundance and estrone (E) and estradiol-17 (E) release were examined using Real-Time PCR, Western blot and radioimmunoassay. Selected myometrial slices were treated with progesterone (P) to determine whether it functions as a protector against EMF. mRNA transcript abundance in slices treated with EMF was less at 50 Hz (2 h) and greater at 120 Hz (2 and 4 h). mRNA transcript was greater in slices treated with EMF at 120 Hz (2 h). Progesterone diminished EMF-related effects on and . When P was added, EMF had suppressive (50 and 120 Hz, 2 h) or enhancing (50 Hz, 4 h) effects on aromatase abundance. The E release was lower after 4 h of EMF treatment at 50 Hz and P did not protect myometrial E release. In conclusion, EMF alters the synthesis and release of E and did not affect E release in the myometrium during the peri-implantation period.

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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

PopulationPig myometrium tissue slices collected on gestation days 15–16 (peri-implantation period)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 2 and 4 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Pig myometrium slices incubated with ELF-EMF (50 or 120 Hz for 2 or 4 h) showed changes in estrogen-related mRNA transcript abundance and aromatase protein abundance, with direction depending on frequency, duration, and progesterone co-treatment. Estrone (E1) release was lower after 4 h EMF at 50 Hz and progesterone did not protect E1 release. The authors conclude EMF alters synthesis and release of E1 and did not affect E2 release during the peri-implantation period.

Outcomes measured

mRNA transcript abundance of estrogen-related genes (not fully specified in abstract)
Cytochrome P450arom (aromatase) protein abundance
17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD) protein abundance
Estrone (E1) release
Estradiol-17β (E2) release
Effect modification by progesterone treatment

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Ex vivo tissue incubation model; may not reflect whole-animal exposure conditions
Exposure metrics beyond frequency and duration (e.g., field strength) not reported in abstract
Some gene targets are not fully specified in the abstract (placeholders present)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 and 4 h"
  },
  "population": "Pig myometrium tissue slices collected on gestation days 15–16 (peri-implantation period)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "mRNA transcript abundance of estrogen-related genes (not fully specified in abstract)",
    "Cytochrome P450arom (aromatase) protein abundance",
    "17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD) protein abundance",
    "Estrone (E1) release",
    "Estradiol-17β (E2) release",
    "Effect modification by progesterone treatment"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Pig myometrium slices incubated with ELF-EMF (50 or 120 Hz for 2 or 4 h) showed changes in estrogen-related mRNA transcript abundance and aromatase protein abundance, with direction depending on frequency, duration, and progesterone co-treatment. Estrone (E1) release was lower after 4 h EMF at 50 Hz and progesterone did not protect E1 release. The authors conclude EMF alters synthesis and release of E1 and did not affect E2 release during the peri-implantation period.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Ex vivo tissue incubation model; may not reflect whole-animal exposure conditions",
    "Exposure metrics beyond frequency and duration (e.g., field strength) not reported in abstract",
    "Some gene targets are not fully specified in the abstract (placeholders present)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "120 Hz",
    "myometrium",
    "pig",
    "peri-implantation",
    "estrogen",
    "estrone",
    "estradiol-17β",
    "aromatase",
    "17HSD",
    "progesterone"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elf-emf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Exposure is extremely low frequency EMF at 50 and 120 Hz."
    },
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.85,
      "reason": "Study uses pig myometrium tissue from gestation days 15–16 (animal/ex vivo)."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3390/ijms22062920
PubMed: 33805726

Read the original paper →

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