BBC News | HEALTH | Electromagnetic threat to fertility

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) may be capable of impairing female fertility, suggests a controversial research project.

Italian scientists exposed cultured mouse ovary tissue to low frequency fields, then checked to see if it affected the way the eggs matured ready to be fertilised.

Approximately a third of the ovary samples given very low frequency exposure had eggs which developed normally, compared to 80% of mice given no exposure.

But experts have already pointed out other extensive experiments involving whole animals have failed to demonstrate any link between impaired fertility and electromagnetic fields.

While the frequency of field used was the same as that generated by many household appliances such as refrigerators and televisions, the fields themselves were far more powerful than those produced in any normal home.

There have been many studies carried out on animals and there has never been any association found between EMFs and reduced fertility

Dr Michael Clark, NRPB
Like mice, humans have ovaries which contain large numbers of eggs, which, before they can be released to be fertilised, undergo a lengthy maturation period.

There are a number of distinct physical changes during that period, and if any are not completed correctly, it is thought the egg may either not mature fully and be released, or not be capable of producing a pregnancy.

The study presents a problem for future research, as similar work would be ethically extremely difficult to carry out on a live human, but lead researchers from the University of L'Aquila in Italy are calling for further investigations.

Project leader Dr Sandra Cecconi said: "At this stage we have no idea whether the same effect would be found, but it would seem prudent to investigate.

"But human infertility is very complex and many factors can combine to reduce fertility, and in every woman these factors are likely to be different."

Power lines

There has been much debate on whether the electromagnetic fields generated by power lines could harm health, with suggestions they could lead to an increase in cancers in those living very close by.

These have never been proven, with a variety of studies producing conflicting results, although an association with childhood leukaemia has been suggested by more than one piece of research.

The Italian work is some of the first to look at what effects the fields may be having on the behaviour of body tissues.

Dr Michael Clark, of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) in the UK, said research conducted in petri dishes in laboratories was very different from that carried out in live animals.

He told BBC News Online: "There have been many studies carried out on animals and there has never been any association found between EMFs and reduced fertility."

He said the strengths of field used in the experiments were also far greater than could be expected to be generated by the average home appliances - or even experienced while living under high-voltage lines.

He said: "It's comparable with the highest industrial fields that anyone could be exposed to.

"But we will look at it carefully and refer it to our advisory group."


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