Influence of sinusoidal 50-Hz magnetic field on cultured human ovarian granulosa cells

Several studies have indicated that magnetic fields are able to influence r eproduction in mammals, but very few data are available on the effect of ma gnetic fields on ovarian function. In this study granulosa cells isolated f rom follicular aspirates of 25 in vitro fertilization treated women were cu ltured and exposed to a sinusoidal 50-Hz AC magnetic field during the entir e time of a 48-h incubation with a flux density of B(AC) = 100 mu T. Proges terone (P) production by granulosa cells was determined by radioimmunoassay . Granulosa cells in culture released high amounts of P. The magnetic field induced a significant increase in P production by granulosa cells obtained from eight individuals, when comparisons were made between exposed cells a nd sham-exposed cells of the same patient. In 17 subjects no alteration in P production was found. The positive treatment-related hormonal response in granulosa cells obtained from 32% of patients studied indicates that extre mely low-frequency magnetic fields may interfere with P biosynthesis by hum an granulosa cells. Considering the pivotal role of P in gonadal and uterin e function, these data may help to draw attention to the role of this physi cal environmental factor in modulating human female reproductive function.