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Updated: Apr 30, 2026
In Vivo Microinjection and Electroporation of Mouse Testis
Published on: August 23, 2014
[Effects of electromagnetic pulses on apoptosis and TGF-β3 expression of mouse testis tissue]
Yaning Luo1, Guirong Ding, Yongbin Chen
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital of Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, China.
Objective:
To investigate the effects of electromagnetic pulses (EMP) on the apoptosis and transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGF-β3) expression of mouse testis tissue.
Methods:
Thirty-two male BALB/c mice were randomly and equally divided into one control group and three EMP treated groups, which were whole-body exposed to EMP at 200 kV/m with 100, 200, and 400 pulses, respectively. The control group received no treatment. The pathological changes and cell apoptosis in testis tissue were analyzed by TUNEL assay. The mRNA expression of TGF-β3 in testis tissue was determined by RT-PCR, and the protein expression of TGF-β3 was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.
Results:
No obvious pathological changes were found in testis tissue after EMP exposure at 200 kV/m with 100 and 200 pulses. However, after EMP exposure with 400 pulses, degeneration and shedding of testis tissue, accompanied by significant increase in apoptosis rate (P < 0.05), was observed. The RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot showed that the expression of TGF-β3 mRNA and protein increased significantly after EMP exposure with 400 pulses as compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
EMP exposure at 200 kV/m with 400 pulses increases the incidence of apoptosis and expression of TGF-β3 in mouse testis tissue, which is potentially one of the mechanisms by which EMP increases blood-testis barrier permeability in mice.
Insights
High-intensity electromagnetic pulses (EMP) significantly increase apoptosis and transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGF-β3) expression in mouse testes. This suggests a potential mechanism for EMP-induced blood-testis barrier disruption.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Toxicology
- Biophysics
Context:
- Electromagnetic pulses (EMP) are increasingly prevalent.
- Understanding their biological effects is crucial.
- Testicular function is sensitive to environmental stressors.
Purpose:
- To investigate the impact of EMP exposure on mouse testicular apoptosis.
- To examine the effect of EMP on transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGF-β3) expression in mouse testes.
Summary:
- Male BALB/c mice were exposed to whole-body EMP (200 kV/m) with 100, 200, or 400 pulses.
- A high pulse count (400) induced testicular degeneration, increased apoptosis (TUNEL assay), and elevated TGF-β3 mRNA and protein levels (RT-PCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry).
- Lower pulse counts (100, 200) showed no significant pathological changes.
Impact:
- EMP exposure, particularly at high intensity (400 pulses), can induce testicular damage.
- Increased TGF-β3 expression may be a key mediator of EMP-induced testicular injury.
- Findings suggest a potential mechanism for EMP affecting male reproductive health via blood-testis barrier disruption.
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