Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of 50-Hz magnetic field exposure on hormone secretion and apoptosis-related gene expression in human first trimester villous trophoblasts in vitro med./bio.

By: Sun W, Tan Q, Pan Y, Fu Y, Sun H, Chiang H
Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2010; 31 (7): 566-572
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the possible mechanism of extremely low frequency in relation to adverse pregnancy outcomes, the effect of a 50 Hz magnetic field exposure on secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone and apoptosis related gene expression in cultured human first trimester villous trophoblasts in vitro was investigated.

Background/further details

Trophoblasts secrete the hormones human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone. Dysfunction or overapoptosis of trophoblasts usually leads to spontaneous abortion.
Placentas were obtained immediately after artificial abortion from healthy nonsmoking women undergoing elective pregnancy termination at 8-10 weeks gestation.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 6 hr, 12 hr, 24 hr, 48 hr or 72 hr

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 6 hr, 12 hr, 24 hr, 48 hr or 72 hr
Additional info vertical field
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup three groups of 36 cm x 36 cm square copper coils placed in an iron metal container inside an incubator; coils consisting of 168 turns (upper), 60 turns (middle) and 168 turns (lower), spaced 8 cm from each other; 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm exposure aerea inside the coil system where cultures were placed
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.2 mT - measured - -
magnetic flux density 0.4 mT - measured - -

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed that exposure of trophoblasts to magnetic field at 0.2 mT for up to 72 h did not affect secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone. There was also no significant change in secretion of these hormones when trophoblasts were exposed to a 0.4 mT magnetic field for up to 48 h. However, magnetic field significantly inhibited human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone secretion of trophoblasts after exposure for 72 h at 0.4 mT.
Results of apoptosis-related gene expression showed that, within 72 h of exposure at 0.4 mT, there was no significant difference between magnetic field exposure and control on the gene expression pattern of each gene.
The authors conclude, that exposure to a magnetic field for a longer duration (72 h) could inhibit secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone by human first trimester villous trophoblasts, however, the effect might not be related to trophoblast apoptosis.

Study character:

Study funded by

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