Effects of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and Simultaneous Treatment with Allium Cepa on Biochemical Parameters and Ultrastructure of Ovarian Tissues of Rats

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors

1 MSc, Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Molecular Medicine research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

2 PhD, Professor, Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

3 PhD, Associate Professor, Women’s Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

4 BSc, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

5 PhD, Professor, Department of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) (50 Hz, 3 mT) on biochemical parameters of rats’ ovarian tissues and the impact of Allium cepa on the reduction of potential adverse influences of electromagnetic exposure.
Material and Methods: In this study 40 female Wistar rats were divided into four groups, including (1) control group (with 3 cc normal saline), (2) ELF-EMF group (exposed to ELF-EMF, 50 Hz), (3) Allium cepa group (received 3 cc Allium cepa), and (4) ELF-EMF and Allium cepa group (exposed to ELF-EMF and simultaneously received Allium cepa daily for 6 weeks.
Results: The MDA levels significantly increased in the second group, which were exposed to ELF-EMF and decreased in normal rats that received Allium cepa. Although, SOD, GPx, and CAT activities significantly decreased in ELF-EMF group, the combination treatment with Allium Cepa on exposed rats restored their activities to normal levels. The conduction of transmission electron microscopy study on ELF-EMF group revealed the changes regarding cytoplasmic organelles in the ovarian follicles of exposed rats. Moreover, irregular oocyte with damaged heterochromatic nuclei was observed. In degenerative oocyte, mitochondria lost their cristae
Conclusion: The results of the present study suggested that ELF-EMF exposure might cause deleterious effect on ovarian tissues in rats, which may lead to infertility and subfertility. Moreover, using Allium cepa as a nutritional supplement can have beneficial effects in the protection of biological antioxidants and reproductive systems in cases exposed to ELF-EMF. 

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References

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Iranian Journal of Medical Physics
Volume 16, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
March and April 2019
Pages 158-165

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History

  • Receive Date: 18 May 2018
  • Revise Date: 09 October 2018
  • Accept Date: 13 October 2018

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