The effects of electromagnetic fields on the number of ovarian primordial follicles: An experimental study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an electromagnetic field (EMF), generated close to the ovaries, on primordial follicles. A total of 16 rats were used in this study. The study group consisted of rats exposed to an EMF in the abdominal region for 15 min/d for 15 days. Both the study and control group were composed of eight rats. After the treatment period of 15 days, the ovaries of the rats were extracted, and sections of ovarian tissue were taken for histological evaluation. The independent samples t test was used to compare the two groups. In the study group, the means of the right and left ovarian follicle numbers were 34.00 +/- 10.20 and 36.00 +/- 10.53, respectively. The average total ovarian follicle number was 70.00 +/- 19.03. In the control group, the means of the right and left ovarian follicle numbers were 78.50 +/- 25.98 and 71.75 +/- 29.66, respectively, and the average total ovarian follicle number was 150.25 +/- 49.53. The comparisons of the means of the right and left ovarian follicle numbers and the means of the total ovarian follicle numbers between the study and control groups indicated that the study group had significantly fewer follicles (p < 0.001, p = 0.011, and p = 0.002, respectively). This study found a significant decrease in the number of ovarian follicles in rats exposed to an EMF. Further clinical studies are needed to reveal the effects of EMFs on ovarian reserve and infertility. Copyright (C) 2015, Kaohsiung Medical University. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.