Abstract

Abstract Summary: EMF Exposure and Steroid Hormones in Porcine Conceptuses

Overview

Electrical devices and power systems emit electromagnetic waves (EM-waves), pervasive throughout our environment, raising concerns regarding their potential biological impacts.

Aims

The research investigates if electromagnetic field (EMF) influences steroid hormone synthesis within porcine conceptuses, focusing on the role of progesterone (P4) as a potential mitigator against EMF effects.

Methods

• Porcine conceptuses collected during the peri-implantation phase (days 15-16 of pregnancy) were segmented and subjected to EMF treatment (50Hz or 120Hz) for durations of 2 or 4 hours.
• Subsequent assessments measured various hormonal outputs and the expression of related genes and proteins.
• Experimental groups included conceptuses treated with and without progesterone (P4).

Key Findings

• Without P4, increased exposure to 120Hz EMF led to decreased androstenedione and testosterone release and increased oestrone release at both 50Hz and 120Hz after extended exposure.
• With P4 treatment, EMF exposure generally decreased CYP19A3 mRNA levels but increased oestradiol-17β levels under specific conditions (120Hz, 2h exposure).

Conclusions

EMF exposure notably alters androgen and oestrogen synthesis and secretion in porcine conceptuses during the crucial peri-implantation window. Although P4 shows protective effects, it also sensitizes conceptuses to changes in oestrogen synthesis under EMF exposure, highlighting a dual-role mechanism.

Implications

Alteration in the steroidogenic pathway by EMF could significantly disrupt normal development and implantation processes in fetal development stages, suggesting substantial implications for reproductive health tied to environmental EMF exposure.