| Abstract
Introduction: In recent years, there has been an increase in the attention paid to safety effects, environmental and
society’s health, extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF), and radio frequency
electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). The aim of this research was to determine the effect of EMF on the alteration
of ovarian follicles.
Methods: In this experimental study at Tabriz Medical University in 2015, we did EMF exposures and assessed
the alteration of rats’ ovarian follicles. Thirty three-month old rats were selected randomly from laboratory
animals, and, after their ages and weights were determined, they were divided randomly into three groups. The
control group consisted of 10 rats without any treatment, and they were kept in normal conditions. The second
group of rats was influenced by a magnetic field of 50 Hz for eight weeks (three weeks intrauterine and five
weeks ectopic). The third group of rats was influenced by a magnetic field of 50 Hz for 13 weeks (three weeks
intrauterine and ten weeks ectopic). Samples were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde and cleared with Xylol
and embedded in paraffin. After sectioning and staining, samples were studied by optic microscopy. Finally,
SPSS version 17, were used for data analysis.
Results: EMF radiation increased the harmful effects on the formation of ovarian follicles and oocytes
implantation. Studies on the effects of electromagnetic fields on ovarian follicles have shown that the nuclei of
the oocytes become smaller and change shape. There were significant, harmful changes in the groups affected by
electromagnetic waves. Atresia of ovarian follicles was significantly significant in both study groups compared to
the control group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Exposure to electromagnetic fields during embryonic development can cause morphological
changes in oocytes and affect the differentiation of oocytes and folliculogenesis, resulting in decreased ovarian
reserve leading to infertility or reduced fertility. |