Effects of 60 Hz electromagnetic field exposure on testicular germ cell apoptosis in mice.

Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the effects of 60 Hz extremely low frequency (ELF) elelctromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on germ cell apoptosis in the testis of mice. METHODS: Adult male BALB/c mice (7 weeks of age) were exposed to a 60 Hz EMF of 0.1 mT or 0.5 mT for 24 h/day. A sham-exposed group served as the control. After 8 weeks of exposure, the mice were sacrificed. Germ cell apoptosis in the testis was assessed by histopathological examination, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) and flow cytometric examination of isolated spermatogenic cells stained with 7 aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD). RESULTS: EMF exposure did not significantly affect the body and testis weights, but significantly increased the incidence of germ cell death. The distinguishing morphological feature of EMF exposure was a decrement in the number of well organized seminiferous tubules. Quantitative analysis of TUNEL-positive germ cells showed a significantly higher apoptotic rate in the 0.5 mT exposed mice than that in the sham controls (P<0.05), while the difference between the two exposed groups was insignificant. The TUNEL-positive cells were mainly spermatogonia. In flow cytometry analysis, the percentage of live cells [forward scatter count (FSC)(high)7-AAD(-)] was lower in the exposed groups than that in the controls (Figure 5A), but the decrease in viability was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Continuous exposure to ELF EMF may induce testicular germ cell apoptosis in mice.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Mice exposed continuously to 60 Hz EMF (0.1 or 0.5 mT) for 8 weeks had no significant changes in body or testis weights, but showed increased incidence of germ cell death and fewer well-organized seminiferous tubules. TUNEL analysis found a significantly higher apoptotic rate in the 0.5 mT group versus sham controls (P<0.05), with TUNEL-positive cells mainly spermatogonia; flow cytometry suggested lower viability in exposed groups but not statistically significant.

Outcomes measured

• Testicular germ cell apoptosis
• Body weight
• Testis weight
• Seminiferous tubule organization/morphology
• Spermatogenic cell viability (flow cytometry; 7-AAD)

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Statistical details limited (e.g., exact effect sizes not provided)
• Flow cytometry viability decrease was not statistically significant

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.25)
  Study evaluates 60 Hz ELF magnetic field exposure levels relevant to power-frequency environments, though no specific occupational setting is described.

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    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "other",
        "frequency_mhz": 6.00000000000000015200514458246772164784488268196582794189453125e-5,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "24 h/day for 8 weeks"
    },
    "population": "Adult male BALB/c mice (7 weeks of age)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Testicular germ cell apoptosis",
        "Body weight",
        "Testis weight",
        "Seminiferous tubule organization/morphology",
        "Spermatogenic cell viability (flow cytometry; 7-AAD)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Mice exposed continuously to 60 Hz EMF (0.1 or 0.5 mT) for 8 weeks had no significant changes in body or testis weights, but showed increased incidence of germ cell death and fewer well-organized seminiferous tubules. TUNEL analysis found a significantly higher apoptotic rate in the 0.5 mT group versus sham controls (P<0.05), with TUNEL-positive cells mainly spermatogonia; flow cytometry suggested lower viability in exposed groups but not statistically significant.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Statistical details limited (e.g., exact effect sizes not provided)",
        "Flow cytometry viability decrease was not statistically significant"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "60 Hz",
        "extremely low frequency",
        "ELF",
        "electromagnetic field",
        "EMF",
        "mice",
        "testis",
        "germ cell apoptosis",
        "TUNEL",
        "spermatogonia",
        "seminiferous tubules",
        "flow cytometry",
        "7-AAD",
        "0.1 mT",
        "0.5 mT"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.25,
            "reason": "Study evaluates 60 Hz ELF magnetic field exposure levels relevant to power-frequency environments, though no specific occupational setting is described."
        }
    ]
}

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