The effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on synthesis and release of steroid hormones by the porcine conceptuses during the peri-implantation period.

CONTEXT

Electrical devices and power systems are the sources of EM-waves which propagate everywhere in the environment.

AIMS

The study aimed to determine whether EMF induced changes in the steroidogenesis of conceptuses and whether progesterone (P4 ) may be a possible protectant against the effects of EMF radiation.

METHODS

The entire porcine conceptuses were collected during the peri-implantation period (days 15-16 of pregnancy), divided into fragments (100mg) and treated in vitro with EMF (50Hz or 120Hz, 2 or 4h exposure), and examined to determine of CYP17A1 , HSD3B1 , CYP19A3 , and HSD17B4 mRNA transcript and encoded protein abundance and the release of steroid hormones. Selected fragments of conceptuses were treated with P4 .

KEY RESULTS

In conceptuses incubated without P4 , EMF at 120Hz decreased androstenedione (A4 ) and testosterone (T) release after 2h and increased oestrone (E1 ) release at 50Hz and 120Hz after 4h exposure. In P4 -treated conceptuses, EMF (50 and 120Hz, 4h exposure) decreased CYP19A3 mRNA transcript abundance, and increased (120Hz, 2h exposure) oestradiol-17β (E2 ) release.

CONCLUSIONS

The EMF radiation alters androgen and oestrogen synthesis and release from the conceptuses of pigs during the peri-implantation period. The P4 exerts protective effects on androgens and E1 release but it sensitises the conceptuses when comes to the mechanism of oestrogen synthesis and release during EMF radiation.

IMPLICATIONS

The effect of EMF radiation on the steroidogenic pathway in conceptuses may induce disturbances in their proper development and implantation.