Long-Term Effects of ELF Magnetic Fields on the Mouse Testis and Serum Testosterone Levels

Male OF1 mice were exposed continuously to a magnetic field of 50 Hz and 15 μT (rms) in order to elucidate the possible alterations in testis histology and its endocrine function caused by this exposure. Mothers were chronically exposed from the age of 6 weeks and had their offspring under the same experimental conditions. Offspring were sacrificed at the age of 10 weeks and the testes were removed and studied histologically. Serum testosterone levels were measured by enzymatic immunoassay. A significant increase in the size and weight of the testes, not related to the increment of the body weight (gonadosomatic index increased), was found in the experimental group compared to the control group. Histologically, this finding is due to an increase in the interstitial tissue, associated with increased levels of testosterone in the blood. Complete spermatogenesis was found in all the animals, in both the control and experimental groups. No differences were found in the morphology of the seminiferous epithelium.