The effect of 900 megahertz electromagnetic field on the rats ovarian of mid and late adolescent period

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes taking place in the ovaria of rats exposed to the effect of a 900-Megahertz electromagnetic field (EMF) in middle and late adolescence using histological and biochemical methods. Twenty-four 34-day-old female Sprague Dawley rats were assigned equally into control, sham or EMF groups. EMF group rats were exposed to the effect of a 900-Megahertz EMF for 1 hour a day, at the same time every day between postnatal days 35 and 59, while inside an EMF cage. Sham group rats were kept inside the EMF cage for the same time between postnatal groups 35 and 50 without being exposed to any effect. No procedure was performed on control group rats. At the end of the study (postnatal day 60), rats' ovaria were removed under anesthesia, blood specimens were taken, and the animals were sacrificed. Right ovarium tissues were subjected to routine procedures, sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid shift and Masson's trichrome. Histological evaluation and scoring was performed under light microscopy. Follicles were counted in ovarium sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The TUNEL method was used to evaluate apoptosis. Malondialdehyde, glutathione, catalase (CAT) superoxide dismutase (SOD), 8-hydroxy-deoxiguanosine (8-OHdG), 3-nitrotirosin (3-NT) and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) values were investigated biochemically in left ovarium tissue and blood specimens. Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were investigated in serum, and the oxidative stress index was calculated (OSI). Histopathological examination of EMF group ovarium tissue revealed thinning in the zona granulosa and theca layers, shrinking in granulose cells, hyperchromasia, reduced mitotic activity and leukocyte infiltration in the follicles and stroma. Secondary follicle numbers in the EMF group were significantly lower than in the other groups. In terms of biochemistry, EMF and sham group SOD, CAT and AMH levels and EMF group 3-NT values increased significantly compared to the control group. EMA and sham group serum CAT and 8-OHdG values increased significantly compared to the control group, and EMF group TOS and OSI values were significantly higher compared to the sham and control groups. In conclusion, 900-Mehahertz EMF applied in middle and late adolescence may cause changes in the morphology and biochemistry of the rat ovarium. Key words: Electromagnetic field, middle and late adolescence, ovarium, rat