Effects of Extremely low frequency Electromagnetic Field on swine oviductal epithelial cells

All living beings are exposed to different electromagnetic fields (EMFs), either of natural or artificial origin. In particular, extremely low frequency-EMFs (ELF-EMFs) are classified as possible carcinogens (class 2b) by IARC [1] but data on their possible negative effect on reproduction are still not conclusive. AIM OF THE STUDY Based on our previous studies [2], here we investigated effect of an ELF-EMF (sinusoidal wave; 0.75mT intensity; 50Hz frequency) on morphology, ion balance and mitochondrial function of swine oviductal cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS We in vitro cultured cells under either control conditions (sham) or exposing them to the field. After the exposure, we assessed cell phenotype (Hematoxylin-eosin staining), actin filaments and microtubule organization (FITC-phalloidin and immunofluorescence, respectively), mitochondrial activity (MitoTracker), and intracellular [Ca2+](Fluo3-AM). RESULTS We found that field exposure didn't exert any detectable effect on doubling time, cell morphology, tubulin organization; while it induced stress fibers formation in a higher percentage of cells (sham 15% vs.70% exposed, p<0.05). Intracellular [Ca2+] and mitochondrial activity were affected (exposed 58% and 63% of sham, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The field didn't induce cytotoxic effects, but it could affect important metabolic function of the oviductal epithelial cells, thus suggesting a possible interaction with reproductive function. 1]IARC, http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/ 2]Bernabò N,2010,Theriogenology,73(9):1293-305