The effects of an electromagnetic field on the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules of the rat: a light and transmission electron microscope study
Human beings are unavoidably exposed to ambient electromagnetic fields (EMF)
generated from various electrical devices and from power transmission lines.
Controversy exists about the effects of EMF on various organs. One of the critical
issues is that EMF may adversely affect the reproductive system. In order to
examine this 30 rat pups were exposed to 50 Hz EMF (non-ionising radiation)
during in utero development (approximately 3 weeks) and postnatal life (5 weeks).
Groups of exposed rats were subsequently left in an environment free of EMF in
order to observe recovery, if any, from the changes induced by EMF on the
boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules. The materials were processed and
observed under a light and a transmission electron microscope. In the experimental
rats boundary tissue was found disrupted at various layers. This tissue
showed infoldings, which were perhaps due to the loss of collagen and reticular
fibrils from the inner and outer non-cellular layers. The outer non-cellular layer,
which was thinner than that of the control, was stripped away from the myoid
cell layer in multiple regions, giving a “blister-like” appearance. The myoid cells
showed fewer polyribosomes, pinocytotic vesicles and glycogen granules. Most
mitochondria were found to lack cristae. The connections between individual
myoid cells were apparently lost. There were signs of recovery in the boundary
tissue following withdrawal from EMF exposure. These results suggest that EMF
exposure may cause profound changes in the boundary tissue of the seminiferous
tubules. Therefore exposure to EMF may result in pathological changes that
lead to subfertility and infertility
