ABSTRACT
The effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields [EMF] on reproduction systems have been widely debated. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether low frequency EMF could ameliorate the in vitro fertilization success rate in Naval medical research institute [NMRI] Mice. In this randomized comparative animal study, ten NMRI mice were randomly divided into 2 equal groups [control and experimental].10 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] was injected intraperitoneally to both groups in order to stimulate ovulating, and ovums were then aspirated and kept in KSOM [modified version of sequential simplex optimization medium with a higher K+ concentration] culture medium. Metaphase II ovums were separated, and sperms obtained by "swim out" method were added to metaphase II ovums in the culture medium. The experimental group was exposed to 1.3 millitesla pulsed electromagnetic field at 4 kilohertz frequency for 5 hours. To assess the efficacy, we considered the identification of two-pronuclear zygote [2PN] under microscope as fertilizing criterion. Total number of collected ovums in the control and experimental groups was 191 and 173, respectively, from which 58 [30.05%] and 52 [30.36%] ovums were collected from metaphase II, respectively. In vitro fertilization [IVF] success rate was 77% in extremely low frequency- pulsed electromagnetic field [ELF-PEMF] for exposed group [experimental], whereas the rate was 68% for control group. Despite increased percentile of IVF success rate in exposed group, there was no statistically significant difference between 2 groups, but this hypothesis has still been stated as a question. Further studies with larger sample sizes and different EMF designs are suggested
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Animals, Laboratory , Electromagnetic Fields , MiceABSTRACT
Magnetized water has made many improvements in industry, agriculture and medicine. However its utilization in medicine still remains controversial. In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of magnetized water on height of epithelial cells in pre-implantation stage endometrium and fallopian tube and number of corpus lutea in female mice. Eighty female NRMI mice were recruited to this experimental study and randomly divided into two groups: the control group which drank normal water and the experimental [case] group which drank magnetized water for 2 weeks. Super-ovulation was induced in these mice and then they were mated with male mice as well. Samples of ovary, uterus and fallopian tube were obtained at the pre-implantation stage. Then, after preparation, the number of corpus lutea in each ovary was counted and the height of fallopian and endometrial epithelial cells was measured by light microscopy. Data analysis showed a significant increase in the mean number of corpus lutea and the height of epithelial cells in fallopian tube comparing the case with the control group [p=0.01, p=0.002 respectively] whereas uterus epithelial cells of the case group showed insignificant increase in height, in compare with the control group [p=0.052]. Our results suggest that magnetized water intake increases the number of corpus lutea and the height of fallopian tube epithelial cells. Further research is needed to determine whether this will increase in the success rate of fertility