Consequences of electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation during early pregnancy - androgen synthesis and release from the myometrium of pigs in vitro

Effect of the Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Radiation on Transcriptomic Profile of Pig Myometrium during the Peri-Implantation Period—An In Vitro Study

“…All experimental procedures were performed using slices of the myometrium prepared within the previous study by Franczak et al 2020 and Drzewiecka et al 2021 [ 8 , 12 ]. Briefly, the myometrial tissue was obtained from pigs ( Sus scrofa domestica L., Polish Landrace × Great White Polish, weighing 95–110 kg; n = 6) on days 15–16 of pregnancy.…”

“…Previous studies provided shreds of evidence that the exposition to the EMFs affects the reproductive processes in mammals [ 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. In females, the EMF radiation altered the course and length of the estrous cycle, ovulation and conception rate, the dynamics of fetal growth, and pregnancy outcome [ 2 , 4 , 6 ].…”

“…Nevertheless, the molecular background of these changes is hardly understood. Due to the fact that the success of early pregnancy is ensured by a unique embryo-maternal dialog involving the action of steroid hormones [ 9 , 10 ], it was proposed that jeopardizing effects of the EMF treatment on pregnancy development might be coupled with the altered uterine steroidogenic activity [ 7 , 8 , 11 , 12 ]. Indeed, recent in vitro studies on a pig model demonstrated that the EMF treatment (50 and 120 Hz, 8 mT, 2 and 4 h) induces alterations in the synthesis and secretion of steroid hormones by the uterine tissues, including the myometrium [ 7 , 8 , 11 , 12 ].…”

“…Due to the fact that the success of early pregnancy is ensured by a unique embryo-maternal dialog involving the action of steroid hormones [ 9 , 10 ], it was proposed that jeopardizing effects of the EMF treatment on pregnancy development might be coupled with the altered uterine steroidogenic activity [ 7 , 8 , 11 , 12 ]. Indeed, recent in vitro studies on a pig model demonstrated that the EMF treatment (50 and 120 Hz, 8 mT, 2 and 4 h) induces alterations in the synthesis and secretion of steroid hormones by the uterine tissues, including the myometrium [ 7 , 8 , 11 , 12 ]. Notably, in pigs, the myometrium contributes significantly to the total uterine production of androstenedione (A 4 ) [ 13 ], which induces anabolic processes in the target tissues and regulates morphogenesis, cellular proliferation, and hyperplasia [ 14 ].…”

“…Notably, in pigs, the myometrium contributes significantly to the total uterine production of androstenedione (A 4 ) [ 13 ], which induces anabolic processes in the target tissues and regulates morphogenesis, cellular proliferation, and hyperplasia [ 14 ]. Therefore, an observed decrease in A 4 production by myometrial tissue exposed to an EMF [ 8 ] may decrease the myometrial potential for structural remodeling required during pregnancy. Importantly, embryo-maternal dialog during the early stages of pregnancy involves elements of the immune system and the action of cytokines, gonadotropins, and growth factors [ 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”