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Vol 65, No 3 (2006)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2006-06-08
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The effects of an electromagnetic field on the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules of the rat: a light and transmission electron microscope study

A.A. Khaki, R.S. Tubbs, M.M. Shoja, J.S. Rad, A. Khaki, R.M. Farahani, S. Zarrintan, T.C. Nag
Folia Morphol 2006;65(3):188-194.

open access

Vol 65, No 3 (2006)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2006-06-08

Abstract

Human beings are unavoidably exposed to ambient electromagnetic fields (EMF) generated from various electrical devices and from power transmission lines. Controversy exists about the effects of EMF on various organs. One of the critical issues is that EMF may adversely affect the reproductive system. In order to examine this 30 rat pups were exposed to 50 Hz EMF (non-ionising radiation) during in utero development (approximately 3 weeks) and postnatal life (5 weeks). Groups of exposed rats were subsequently left in an environment free of EMF in order to observe recovery, if any, from the changes induced by EMF on the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules. The materials were processed and observed under a light and a transmission electron microscope. In the experimental rats boundary tissue was found disrupted at various layers. This tissue showed infoldings, which were perhaps due to the loss of collagen and reticular fibrils from the inner and outer non-cellular layers. The outer non-cellular layer, which was thinner than that of the control, was stripped away from the myoid cell layer in multiple regions, giving a “blister-like” appearance. The myoid cells showed fewer polyribosomes, pinocytotic vesicles and glycogen granules. Most mitochondria were found to lack cristae. The connections between individual myoid cells were apparently lost. There were signs of recovery in the boundary tissue following withdrawal from EMF exposure. These results suggest that EMF exposure may cause profound changes in the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules. Therefore exposure to EMF may result in pathological changes that lead to subfertility and infertility.

Abstract

Human beings are unavoidably exposed to ambient electromagnetic fields (EMF) generated from various electrical devices and from power transmission lines. Controversy exists about the effects of EMF on various organs. One of the critical issues is that EMF may adversely affect the reproductive system. In order to examine this 30 rat pups were exposed to 50 Hz EMF (non-ionising radiation) during in utero development (approximately 3 weeks) and postnatal life (5 weeks). Groups of exposed rats were subsequently left in an environment free of EMF in order to observe recovery, if any, from the changes induced by EMF on the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules. The materials were processed and observed under a light and a transmission electron microscope. In the experimental rats boundary tissue was found disrupted at various layers. This tissue showed infoldings, which were perhaps due to the loss of collagen and reticular fibrils from the inner and outer non-cellular layers. The outer non-cellular layer, which was thinner than that of the control, was stripped away from the myoid cell layer in multiple regions, giving a “blister-like” appearance. The myoid cells showed fewer polyribosomes, pinocytotic vesicles and glycogen granules. Most mitochondria were found to lack cristae. The connections between individual myoid cells were apparently lost. There were signs of recovery in the boundary tissue following withdrawal from EMF exposure. These results suggest that EMF exposure may cause profound changes in the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules. Therefore exposure to EMF may result in pathological changes that lead to subfertility and infertility.

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Keywords

electromagnetic fields; testes; boundary tissue; seminiferous tubules; rats; electron microscopy

About this article
Title

The effects of an electromagnetic field on the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules of the rat: a light and transmission electron microscope study

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 65, No 3 (2006)

Article type

Original article

Pages

188-194

Published online

2006-06-08

Page views

657

Article views/downloads

1408

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2006;65(3):188-194.

Keywords

electromagnetic fields
testes
boundary tissue
seminiferous tubules
rats
electron microscopy

Authors

A.A. Khaki
R.S. Tubbs
M.M. Shoja
J.S. Rad
A. Khaki
R.M. Farahani
S. Zarrintan
T.C. Nag

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