Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Radiation Alters Estrogen Release from the Pig Myometrium during the Peri-Implantation Period.

An electromagnetic field (EMF) may affect the functions of uterine tissues. This study hypothesized that EMF changes the estrogenic activity of pig myometrium during the peri-implantation period. Tissue was collected on days 15-16 of the gestation and incubated in the presence of EMF (50 and 120 Hz, 2 and 4 h). The cytochrome P450 aromatase type 3 (CYP19A3) and hydroxysteroid 17ß dehydrogenase type 4 (HSD17B4) mRNA transcript abundance, cytochrome P450arom (aromatase), and 17ß hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 17ßHSD) protein abundance and estrone (E1) and estradiol-17ß (E2) release were examined using Real-Time PCR, Western blot and radioimmunoassay. Selected myometrial slices were treated with progesterone (P4) to determine whether it functions as a protector against EMF. CYP19A3 mRNA transcript abundance in slices treated with EMF was less at 50 Hz (2 h) and greater at 120 Hz (2 and 4 h). HSD17B4 mRNA transcript was greater in slices treated with EMF at 120 Hz (2 h). Progesterone diminished EMF-related effects on CYP19A3 and HSD17B4. When P4 was added, EMF had suppressive (50 and 120 Hz, 2 h) or enhancing (50 Hz, 4 h) effects on aromatase abundance. The E1 release was lower after 4 h of EMF treatment at 50 Hz and P4 did not protect myometrial E1 release. In conclusion, EMF alters the synthesis and release of E1 and did not affect E2 release in the myometrium during the peri-implantation period.

Consequences of electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation during early pregnancy - androgen synthesis and release from the myometrium of pigs in vitro.

An electromagnetic field (EMF) has been found to affect reproductive processes in females. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of low, non-ionizing EMF radiation on the steroidogenic activity of myometrium collected from pigs during the fetal peri-implantation period. Myometrial slices were treated with an EMF (50 and 120 Hz, 2 and 4 h of incubation) and examined for the aromatase cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/C17-20lyase (CYP17A1) and 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 isomerase (HSD3B1) mRNA transcript abundance, cytochrome P450c17 and 3ßHSD protein abundance and the secretion of androstenedione (A4) and testosterone (T). To determine whether progesterone (P4) functions as a protectant from EMF radiation, the selected slices were treated with P4. In slices incubated without P4, EMF at 50 Hz altered cytochrome P450c17 protein abundance (4 h), HSD3B1 mRNA transcript abundance (4 h) and A4 release (2 h) as well as T release (2 h) in P4-treated slices. The EMF at 120 Hz in non P4-treated slices altered A4 release (2 and 4 h) whereas in P4-treated slices altered CYP17A1 mRNA transcript abundance (4 h), 3ßHSD protein abundance (4 h), A4 (4 h) and T release (2 h). In conclusion, EMF radiation in the myometrium collected during the peri-implantation period alters the CYP17A1 and HSD3B1 mRNA transcript and encoded protein abundance, and androgen release due to the time of treatment and P4 presence or absence. The P4 did not function directly as an obvious protector against EMF radiation in the myometrium of pigs during the fetal peri-implantation period.

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) generates alterations in the synthesis and secretion of oestradiol-17ß (E2) in uterine tissues: An in vitro study.

An electromagnetic field (EMF) of extremely low frequency may affect physiological processes in mammals. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of an EMF on the synthesis and secretion of oestradiol-17ß (E2) in the porcine uterus. Endometrial and myometrial slices were harvested on days 12-13 of the oestrous cycle and exposed in vitro to an EMF (50 and 120 Hz, 8 mT) for 2 and 4 h in the presence or absence of progesterone (P4). Subsequently, the incubation media were used to determine the concentration of E2 with RIA. Tissues fragments were used to study the expression of CYP19A3 mRNA using Real-Time PCR and the abundance of P450 aromatase using Western Blotting. The 50-Hz EMF increased E2 release from the endometrium and the myometrium at both time points of in vitro incubation. A 120-Hz EMF decreased the endometrial secretion of E2 after 2 h of incubation and did not affect E2 secretion after 4 h. In the myometrium, the 120-Hz EMF increased E2 secretion after 4 h of incubation. In P4-treated uterine fragments, no significant EMF exposition-related changes were observed. Only myometrial fragments incubated in the presence of P4 at 120-Hz EMF (4 h) released higher amounts of E2 due to EMF treatment. The 50-Hz EMF exposure did not change the CYP19A3 mRNA expression in endometrial fragments incubated in the presence or absence of P4. In myometrial fragments, the highest CYP19A3 mRNA expression was observed in fragments not exposed to the 50-Hz EMF and P4-treated tissues compared to that in fragments exposed to 50 Hz EMF and incubated with or without P4 and control (no EMF and no P4) fragments. The EMF at 120 Hz decreased basal endometrial CYP19A3 mRNA expression and did not change the expression in the P4-treated endometrium. In the myometrium, the EMF at 120 Hz increased CYP19A3 mRNA expression in slices incubated without P4 and had no effect in the presence of P4. The EMF exposure (50 and 120 Hz) did not affect P450 aromatase abundance in either the endometrium or the myometrium. In conclusion, the EMF induces changes in the synthesis and release of E2 in uterine tissues harvested during days 12-13 of the oestrous cycle. These changes are related to the EMF frequency used, the time of the exposition and the presence of P4. We suspect that this observed phenomenon might lead to changes in the intrauterine milieu of oestrogen, which is crucial for the proper activity of uterine tissues during the mid-luteal phase of the oestrous cycle.

Clinical significance of melatonin receptors in the human myometrium.

OBJECTIVE: To review and update the research on melatonin receptor expression in the human myometrium, in particular as it pertains to uterine contractility at labor. DESIGN: Summary of previous studies with the addition of new data on the transcriptional regulation of melatonin receptor expression in human myometrial cells. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): Late-term pregnant volunteers. INTERVENTION(S): Biopsy collection for in vitro analyses provided the original data. More recently, uterine contractions in late-term pregnant volunteers were assessed before, during, and after acute white-light exposure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Melatonin receptor signaling in myometrial cells and uterine contractions in late-term pregnant volunteers. RESULT(S): Melatonin acts through the MTNR1B melatonin receptor that is expressed in the myometrium at late term to synergistically enhance oxytocin-dependent signaling and contractions. Acute inhibition of endogenous melatonin levels with light reversibly suppresses uterine contractions. CONCLUSION(S): These results point to a significant role for circulating melatonin in the timing and degree of uterine contractions in late-term pregnancy. Understanding the regulation of melatonin receptors remains a future objective.

Near-infrared low-level laser stimulation of telocytes from human myometrium.

Telocytes (TCs) are a brand-new cell type frequently observed in the interstitial space of many organs (see www.telocytes.com ). TCs are defined by very long (tens of micrometers) and slender prolongations named telopodes. At their level, dilations-called podoms (~300 nm), alternate with podomers (80-100 nm). TCs were identified in a myometrial interstitial cell culture based on morphological criteria and by CD34 and PDGF receptor alpha (PDGFRα) immunopositivity. However, the mechanism(s) of telopodes formation and/or elongation and ramification is not known. We report here the low-level laser stimulation (LLLS) using a 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (with an output power of 60 mW) of the telopodal lateral extension (TLE) growth in cell culture. LLLS of TCs determines a higher growth rate of TLE in pregnant myometrium primary cultures (10.3 ± 1.0 µm/min) compared to nonpregnant ones (6.6 ± 0.9 µm/min). Acute exposure (30 min) of TCs from pregnant myometrium to 1 µM mibefradil, a selective inhibitor of T-type calcium channels, determines a significant reduction in the LLLS TLE growth rate (5.7 ± 0.8 µm/min) compared to LLLS per se in same type of samples. Meanwhile, chronic exposure (24 h) completely abolishes the LLLS TLE growth in both nonpregnant and pregnant myometria. The initial direction of TLE growth was modified by LLLS, the angle of deviation being more accentuated in TCs from human pregnant myometrium than in TCs from nonpregnant myometrium. In conclusion, TCs from pregnant myometrium are more susceptible of reacting to LLLS than those from nonpregnant myometrium. Therefore, some implications are emerging for low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in uterine regenerative medicine.

Preoperative assessment of submucous fibroids by three-dimensional saline contrast sonohysterography.

OBJECTIVE: Submucous fibroids are a common cause of menstrual disturbance that can be treated by hysteroscopic resection. Preoperative patient selection is critical for the success of surgery and it is usually based on hysteroscopic assessment of fibroid protrusion into the uterine cavity. Three-dimensional saline contrast sonohysterography (3D-SCSH) provides additional information about the size and location of submucous fibroids, but it has not yet been evaluated for its usefulness in preoperative assessment. The aim of this study was to examine the potential value of various demographic and ultrasound variables for the prediction of successful submucous fibroid resection. METHODS: This was a prospective study of symptomatic women diagnosed with submucous fibroids who underwent 3D-SCSH prior to hysteroscopic resection. The women's age and parity and fibroid position, diameter, protrusion ratio, size of the intramural component and distance from the internal cervical os were all recorded. The outcome measure was success of a single hysteroscopic resection in achieving a complete excision of the fibroid. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis using a training set and a testing set were performed to investigate the prediction of successful fibroid resection. RESULTS: A total of 61 women with 67 fibroids were included in the study. There was a statistically significant difference between women who had complete and those who had incomplete resection in the mean protrusion ratio (67.8 (SD 14.5)% vs. 47.0 (SD 17.8)%; P = 0.001), the median maximum fibroid diameter (24.0 (interquartile range (IQR), 19.0-30.5) mm vs. 45.0 (IQR, 28.8-51.3) mm; P = 0.001) and the median size of the intramural component of the fibroid (8.0 (IQR, 4.0-11.5) mm vs. 16.5 (IQR, 12.5-29.3) mm; P = 0.001). Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis retained size of intramural component (odds ratio (OR) 0.511), parity (OR 0.002) and fibroid diameter (OR 0.843) as significant independent predictors of a complete fibroid resection. The model had an area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve of 0.975 (SE 0.039) for the training set (n = 39) and 0.864 (SE 0.090) for the testing set (n = 28). CONCLUSION: Submucous fibroid protrusion ratio, fibroid diameter and size of the fibroid's intramural component are significantly associated with the likelihood of successful fibroid resection. A logistic regression model can calculate individual probability of complete resection and may improve preoperative counseling of patients.

Symptomatic fibroids in two patients on hormone replacement therapy with primary ovarian failure secondary to prepubertal gonadotoxic cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND: We report two childhood cancer patients with primary ovarian failure who underwent exogenous hormone-induced puberty and had symptomatic fibroids while on hormone replacement therapy (HRT). CASES: A 26-year-old woman with a history of myelodysplastic syndrome complained of irregular, heavy menstrual bleeding and painful menses; physical examination revealed a 5 cm x 3.5 cm prolapsing fibroid. A 23-year-old woman with a history of acute lymphocytic leukemia complained of irregular and heavy menstrual bleeding; physical examination revealed a 5.5 cm prolapsing fibroid. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with primary ovarian failure who are on HRT are capable of developing symptomatic fibroids despite lack of endogenously induced puberty. Diagnosis may be delayed if symptomatic uterine fibroids are not included in the differential diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding and pain.

Unanticipated pregnancy with intrauterine growth retardation after radiation-induced ovarian failure. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian failure is common after pelvic irradiation and is dependent upon radiation dose and patient age. This case report demonstrates the resumption of ovulation and pregnancy subsequent to this diagnosis. CASE: An enlarging abdominal mass was noted in a 28-year-old female 20 months after resection of a pelvic hemangiopericytoma. She had received postoperative adjuvant hemipelvic radiotherapy and subsequently developed amenorrhea and symptoms of hypoestrogenism. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was elevated. In light of the diagnosis of ovarian failure, the finding of an intrauterine pregnancy on an abdominal computed tomography scout film, performed to rule out a recurrence of the primary tumor, was unexpected. CONCLUSION: While amenorrhea and elevation in serum gonadotropin levels are common after pelvic irradiation, the clinician must be cognizant of the potential for resumption of ovulation after radiotherapy. The diagnosis of ovarian failure should be based on more than a single serum FSH level. Further, radiation changes in the endometrium and myometrium as well as in uterine blood flow may have an adverse effect on pregnancy outcome. We suspect these effects had an etiologic influence on the fetal growth retardation in this pregnancy.

[Histophysiology of the neurosecretory systems of the hypothalamus, epiphysis cerebri and myometrium in pregnant rats exposed to a helium-neon laser]. / Gistofiziologiia neirosekretornoi sistemy gipotalamusa, epifiza i miometriia beremennykh krys pri vozdeistvii gelii-neonovogo lazera.

An experimental study in pregnant rats has demonstrated an obvious effect of endonasal, vaginal and epigastric application of the helium-neon laser on histophysiologic characteristics of the hypothalamo-neuropituitary neurosecretory system, the epiphysis and the myometrium. Therefore, the exposure to the laser beam, particularly the endonasal one may enhance the cervical-hypothalamic reflex.

Radiation-induced uterine changes: MR imaging.

To assess the capability of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to demonstrate postirradiation changes in the uterus, MR studies of 23 patients who had undergone radiation therapy were retrospectively examined and compared with those of 30 patients who had not undergone radiation therapy. MR findings were correlated with posthysterectomy histologic findings. In premenopausal women, radiation therapy induced (a) a decrease in uterine size demonstrable as early as 3 months after therapy ended; (b) a decrease in signal intensity of the myometrium on T2-predominant MR images, reflecting a significant decrease in T2 relaxation time, demonstrable as early as 1 month after therapy; (c) a decrease in thickness and signal intensity of the endometrium demonstrable on T2-predominant images 6 months after therapy; and (d) loss of uterine zonal anatomy as early as 3 months after therapy. In postmenopausal women, irradiation did not significantly alter the MR imaging appearance of the uterus. These postirradiation MR changes in both the premenopausal and postmenopausal uteri appeared similar to the changes ordinarily seen on MR images of the nonirradiated postmenopausal uterus.

Histogenesis of morphologic variations in tumors of the uterine wall.

We investigated seven uterine wall lesions, selected because of the presence of unexpected patterns or components, to determine their relationship to normal uterine constituents. These lesions included a bizarre leiomyoma, a palisading leiomyoma which resembled a schwannoma, two myxomas, irradiated myometrium, a plexiform tumor, and a leiomyoma with tubular structures. All of these lesions except for the epithelial component of the plexiform tumor showed ultrastructural characteristics of smooth muscle, demonstrating a common origin from the myometrium. Two tumors, the plexiform tumor and the leiomyoma with tubules, had the pattern of epithelial structures suggesting origin from müllerian mesencyme: the plexiform tumor resembled incompletely differentiated endometrium and the tubular structures in the leiomyoma had features of mesothelium. We conclude that these varied and often confusing morphologic patterns reflect the capacity of uterine smooth muscle and stroma to undergo a wide spectrum of alterations including differentiation toward epithelial structures. Changes of this type occur in benign and malignant uterine stromal neoplasms and do not in themselves have prognostic significance.