Comparison of polymerization and structural behavior of microtubules in rat brain and sperm affected by the extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field
Authors not listed · 2019
Exposure to a 50 Hz extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field significantly increased microtubule polymerization in rat sperm.
Plain English Summary
The study aimed to examine microtubule polymerization and structural behavior in brain and sperm of rats exposed to a 50 Hz extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field. Twenties adult male rats were randomly divided into control and experimental groups, and semen and brain samples were split into four groups for microtubule polymerization analysis. There were no significant differences in testosterone, corticosterone, anxiety behavior, or sperm morphology between groups, but sperm viability, total motility, and progressive motility were significantly higher after exposure. Microtubule polymerization in sperm was significantly higher in the exposed group, and the secondary and tertiary structures of tubulin were significantly affected in both brain and sperm.
Why This Matters
The researchers noted that microtubule proteins can produce electromagnetic fields and play an important role in memory formation and learning. They therefore hypothesized that microtubules could be affected by external electromagnetic fields.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{comparison_of_polymerization_and_structural_behavior_of_microtubules_in_rat_brain_and_sperm_affected_by_the_extremely_low_frequency_electromagnetic_field_ce4381,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Comparison of polymerization and structural behavior of microtubules in rat brain and sperm affected by the extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field},
year = {2019},
doi = {10.1186/s12860-019-0224-1},
}