Evaluation of the protective role of lipoic acid against electromagnetic field effects on prepubertal female rat's ovaries by biochemically, light microscopically and ultrastructurally

In our studies we investigated the changes that electromagnetic field bring forth on the ovary and the effect of lipoic acid on these changes as an antioxidant. The role of electromagnetic field on apoptosis in the ovary and also effects on oxidative stress parameters have been examined and supported by ultrastructural evaluationDokuz Eylül University Institute of Health Sciences Ethic committee approved our application with 33 numbered decision at 21 March 2008Twenty four female Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: Control group; did not expose to electromagnetic field, only serum physiologic administered (n=7), EMA group; exposed to 50 Hz- 3 mT extremely low frequency magnetic fields for four hours/day during six weeks (n=7) and serum physiologic administered, EMA+LA group; exposed to electromagnetic field and 100 mg/kg lipoic acid administered by oral gavage method (n=10) along six weeksAt the end of experimental period the ovaries taken from both three groups were processed for histological, ultrastructural and biochemical evaluationAs a result of compairing the numbers of primary and secondary follicles within three groups: there was statistically significant decrease in the numbers of follicles in EMA group against the other groups. DNA fragmentation results in granulosa cells of the primary and secondary follicles showed that there was no statistically significant difference between Control and EMA+LA groups. On the other hand, when we compaired Control and EMA groups; DNA fragmentation in granulosa cells were statistically significant and high in EMA groupWhen we compaired with the control group, malondialdehyde concentrations (MDA) of the ovaries found to be statistically and significantly increased due to electromagnetic field damage on ovaries, both in EMA and EMA+LA groups. However the difference in MDA concentrations between EMA and EMA+LA groups were not statistically significantWhen we compaired them with the control group, GPX concentrations of the ovaries were found to be statistically and significantly decreased because of electromagnetic field damage, both in EMA and EMA+LA groups. These findings are evidence that the lipoic acid we administered as an antioxidant did not effect oxidative stress parametersSeries sections taken from the ovaries in the EMA group showed an increase in the connective tissue which surrounds follicles, dilatation in vessels and capillaries in the interstitium of the ovaryThis is the first time in the literature that lipoic acid treatment against electromagnetic field damage on the ovary has been documented.Key Words: Electromagnetic field (EMA), Lipoic Acid, Ovary, Apoptosis, Reactive Oxygen Species, Ultrastructure