The electromagnetic field (EMF) affects the physiological processes in mammals, but the molecular background of the observed alterations remains not well established. In this study was tested the effect of short duration (2 h) of the EMF treatment (50 Hz, 8 mT) on global transcriptomic alterations in the myometrium of pigs during the peri-implantation period using next-generation sequencing. As a result, the EMF treatment affected the expression of 215 transcript active regions (TARs), and among them, the assigned gene protein-coding biotype possessed 90 ones (differentially expressed genes, DEGs), categorized mostly to gene ontology terms connected with defense and immune responses, and secretion and export. Evaluated DEGs enrich the KEGG TNF signaling pathway, and regulation of IFNA signaling and interferon-alpha/beta signaling REACTOME pathways. There were evaluated 12 differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (DE-lnc-RNAs) and 182 predicted single nucleotide variants (SNVs) substitutions within RNA editing sites. In conclusion, the EMF treatment in the myometrium collected during the peri-implantation period affects the expression of genes involved in defense and immune responses. The study also gives new insight into the mechanisms of the EMF action in the regulation of the transcriptomic profile through lnc-RNAs and SNVs.
An electromagnetic field (EMF) may affect the functions of uterine tissues. This study hypothesized that EMF changes the estrogenic activity of pig myometrium during the peri-implantation period. Tissue was collected on days 15–16 of the gestation and incubated in the presence of EMF (50 and 120 Hz, 2 and 4 h). The cytochrome P450 aromatase type 3 (CYP19A3) and hydroxysteroid 17β dehydrogenase type 4 (HSD17B4) mRNA transcript abundance, cytochrome P450arom (aromatase), and 17β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 17βHSD) protein abundance and estrone (E1) and estradiol-17β (E2) release were examined using Real-Time PCR, Western blot and radioimmunoassay. Selected myometrial slices were treated with progesterone (P4) to determine whether it functions as a protector against EMF. CYP19A3 mRNA transcript abundance in slices treated with EMF was less at 50 Hz (2 h) and greater at 120 Hz (2 and 4 h). HSD17B4 mRNA transcript was greater in slices treated with EMF at 120 Hz (2 h). Progesterone diminished EMF-related effects on CYP19A3 and HSD17B4. When P4 was added, EMF had suppressive (50 and 120 Hz, 2 h) or enhancing (50 Hz, 4 h) effects on aromatase abundance. The E1 release was lower after 4 h of EMF treatment at 50 Hz and P4 did not protect myometrial E1 release. In conclusion, EMF alters the synthesis and release of E1 and did not affect E2 release in the myometrium during the peri-implantation period.
Context Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) emission is increasing due to substantial technological progress. The results of previous research provided evidence that ELF-EMF may exert changes in molecular mechanisms that control female reproduction. Aims We hypothesised that short-term ELF-EMF treatment alters the DNA methylation level of genes in the endometrium. Hence, the research aimed to determine the methylation level of selected genes whose expression was altered in response to ELF-EMF radiation in the endometrium of pigs during the peri-implantation period (days 15–16 of pregnancy). Methods Porcine endometrial slices (100 ± 5 mg) were collected during the peri-implantation period and exposed to ELF-EMF at a frequency of 50 Hz for 2 h in vitro. The control endometrium was not exposed to ELF-EMF. The level of DNA methylation in the promoter regions of EGR2, HSD17B2, ID2, IL1RAP, MRAP2, NOS3, PTGER4, SERPINE1, VDR and ZFP57 was tested using qMS-PCR. Key results In the endometrium exposed to ELF-EMF, the level of methylation of HSD17B2, MRAP2, SERPINE1, VDR and ZFP57 was not altered; the level of methylation of EGR2, ID2 and PTGER4 increased, and the level of methylation of IL1RAP and NOS3 decreased. Conclusions ELF-EMF may alter the level of DNA methylation in the endometrium during the peri-implantation period. Implications Changes in the DNA methylation induced by ELF-EMF may affect the transcriptomic profile of the endometrium and disturb physiological processes accompanying implantation and embryo development.
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 (100 mg) and treated in vitro with EMF (50 Hz or 120 Hz, 2 or 4 h 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 120 Hz decreased androstenedione (A4) and testosterone (T) release after 2 h and increased oestrone (E1) release at 50 Hz and 120 Hz after 4 h exposure. In P4-treated conceptuses, EMF (50 and 120 Hz, 4 h exposure) decreased CYP19A3 mRNA transcript abundance, and increased (120 Hz, 2 h 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.
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