Effect of Vitamin E and Selenium on Oxidative Stress and Tissue Damages Induced by Electromagnetic Fields in Immature Mice Ovarian

Introduction Electromagnetic wave or electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is a phenomenon that spreads as propagated in a vacuum or material. These waves include electric and magnetic fields oscillating perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the direction of energy (1,2). Since the past few decades human has ever been exposed to industrial electric (ELF) and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from power transmission lines or household electromagnetic waves such as radio, television and mobile phones. EMFs not only are produced in advanced industries such as strong power transmission lines and cell phones but also are widely used in medical diagnosis such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (1,3). Considering the increasing use of electrical wave generator devices in modern life, exposure to EMF is inevitable. Today, there are discussions on adverse biological effects of these fields on the human body (1,4). Given the huge technological advances in EMFs, there are many controversies among researchers in studying the effects of EMFs on biological tissues (4,5). Yet, there is not a precise molecular mechanism of EMFs impact that causes different human diseases; although, hypotheses have been proposed in relation to changes in the cell cycle, apoptosis induction, proteins expression change and particularly oxidative stress (6,7). In general, it is believed that magnetic and electric fields available in the environment increase the probability of DNA damage due to long-term stability of free radicals (5,8,9). The effects of EMFs have been reported on the reproductive process as fertility decline, reduction in implantation rate, live births and the incidence of congenital anomalies (10). Studies have shown that exposure to EMFs can cause morphological changes in the epithelium of uterus, uterus tubes and ovaries as well as cause changes in oxidative stress indices. In this regard, it has been shown that EMF causes increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased activity of ovarian tissue glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and leads to oxidative stress (11). Also, Guney et al indicated that EMF causes changes in biomarkers of oxidative stress in rats’ endometrium and the use of vitamin E and C improves the above parameters (12). Due to the increasing expansion of devices generating electromagnetic waves and adverse effects on the reproductive system, it is necessary to look for ways to reduce the side effects caused by EMF. Studies Abstract Objective: Electromagnetic fields (EMF) due to increased oxidative stress impact on body systems including female reproductive system and reduce fertility. The use of antioxidants decreases the amount of damage through the oxidative stress reduction. The present research studies the effect of vitamin E and selenium on oxidative stress factors level resulting from EMF in immature mice ovarian tissue. Materials and Methods: In this study, 48 immature mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=8): (1) control, (2) EMF, (3) EMF with Vitamin E, (4) EMF with selenium, (5) EMF with vitamin E and selenium and (6) vitamin E and selenium. Finally, after 2 months the mice were killed by cervical dislocation and the ovaries were removed to evaluate tissue damages and oxidative stress factors including malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant (TAC). Results: In mice under EMF, MDA level increased and SOD, GPX and TAC decreased in ovarian tissue (P <0.05). Treatment of mice under EMF via vitamin E with selenium and by vitamin E alone significantly improved these parameters (P <0.05); though, treatment with selenium did not show any significant effect. Histological analysis exhibited the ovaries of the animals that received vitamin E and selenium showed fewer morphological changes than the EMF group. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that vitamin E and selenium plus vitamin E significantly reduced oxidative stress in ovarian tissue of the mice exposed to EMF, but prescribing selenium alone had no significant effect.