Electromagnetic fields and ovary development

A group of Italian scientists has found that extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) can affect the development of mouse ovary tissue grown in the laboratory. Dr Sandra Cecconi, head of the team, said that it was now important to undertake research to see whether ELF-EMFs - produced by household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and kettle - produce a similar effect on human ovary tissue.

The researchers, based at the University of L'Aquilia and the University La Sapienza in Rome, exposed mouse ovarian follicles (the cells and fluid that surround developing eggs) to ELF-EMF at frequencies of either 33Hz or 50Hz. After five days, only around a third of the follicles exposed to 33Hz, and half of those exposed to 50Hz were developing normally, compared with 80 per cent of control samples. The team published their findings in the latest issue of the journal Human Reproduction.

Dr Cecconi stressed that although it seemed 'prudent' to investigate whether the same effect would be found in human ovaries, many factors can combine to reduce human fertility. And Dr Michael Clark, of the UK's National Radiological Protection Board, pointed out that the strengths of the EMFs used in the experiments were far greater than those expected to be generated by the average home appliance. 'Other work in this area has shown no effect on reproduction in mice, but we will look at [the study] carefully and refer it to our advisory group' he added.