Pulsed or continuous electromagnetic field induce p53/p21-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway in mouse spermatogenic cells in vitro and thus may affect male fertility.
Solek P, Majchrowicz L, Bloniarz D, Krotoszynska E, Koziorowski M. · 2017
View Original AbstractEMF exposure triggered sperm cell death through DNA damage at field strengths found near power lines and electrical equipment.
Plain English Summary
Polish researchers exposed mouse sperm cells to electromagnetic fields at 2, 50, and 120 Hz frequencies for two hours. The exposure triggered cell death by damaging DNA and causing oxidative stress, potentially reducing healthy sperm and contributing to male fertility problems.
Why This Matters
This study adds important evidence to growing concerns about EMF exposure and male reproductive health. The researchers used extremely low frequency magnetic fields at 2.5 and 8 milliTesla - levels that can occur near power lines, electrical appliances, and some occupational settings. What makes this research particularly significant is that it identifies the specific biological pathway through which EMF exposure damages sperm cells: oxidative stress leading to DNA damage and programmed cell death. The science demonstrates that sperm-producing cells are especially vulnerable because they lack protective antioxidant enzymes. This vulnerability, combined with the cellular suicide pathway the researchers documented, provides a clear mechanism explaining how EMF exposure could contribute to declining male fertility rates we're seeing globally. You don't have to work directly with high-voltage equipment to encounter these field strengths - they can occur in everyday environments around electrical infrastructure.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 2.5 and 8 mG
- Source/Device
- 2 Hz,50 Hz, 120 Hz
- Exposure Duration
- 2 hours
Exposure Context
This study used 2.5 and 8 mG for magnetic fields:
- 125Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 25Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
In the present study, we investigated the effects of pulsed and continuous electromagnetic field (PEMF/CEMF) on mouse spermatogenic cell lines (GC-1 spg and GC-2 spd) in terms of cellular and biochemical features in vitro.
We evaluated the effect of EMF on mitochondrial metabolism, morphology, proliferation rate, viabilit...
Our results strongly suggest that EMF induces oxidative and nitrosative stress-mediated DNA damage, ...
In conclusion, electromagnetic field present in surrounding environment impairs male fertility by inducing p53/p21-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
Show BibTeX
@article{p_2017_pulsed_or_continuous_electromagnetic_466,
author = {Solek P and Majchrowicz L and Bloniarz D and Krotoszynska E and Koziorowski M. },
title = {Pulsed or continuous electromagnetic field induce p53/p21-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway in mouse spermatogenic cells in vitro and thus may affect male fertility.},
year = {2017},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300483X17300926},
}