Acute exposure to a 2 mT static magnetic field affects ionic homeostasis of in vitro grown porcine granulosa cells.

In this work, we provided direct evidence for the first time that exposure to a static magnetic field (SMF) of low intensity (2 mT) is immediately followed by a reversible cell membrane depolarization wave (of about 1 min) that causes the rise of intracellular calcium and the decrease of mitochondrial activity of vital granulosa cells. These effects are likely due to the increase in Na(+) and Ca(2+) cell membrane permeability.

Chronic exposure to a 2 mT static magnetic field affects the morphology, the metabolism and the function of in vitro cultured swine granulosa cells.

In recent years, the exposure of organisms to static magnetic fields (SMFs) is continuously increasing. Thus, we investigated the effect of chronic exposure to a 2 mT SMF on in vitro cultured swine granulosa cells (GCs). In particular, the culture expansion (cell viability and doubling time), the cell phenotype (cell morphology and orientation, actin and α-tubulin cytoskeleton), the cell metabolism (intracellular Ca(2+) concentration [Ca(2+)]i and mitochondrial activity) and the cell function (endocrine activity) were assessed.

Type-1 cannabinoid receptors reduce membrane fluidity of capacitated boar sperm by impairing their activation by bicarbonate.

Background: Mammalian spermatozoa acquire their full fertilizing ability (so called capacitation) within the female genital tract, where they are progressively exposed to inverse gradients of inhibiting and stimulating molecules.

Methodology/principal Findings: In the present research, the effect on this process of anandamide, an endocannabinoid that can either activate or inhibit cannabinoid receptors depending on its concentration, and bicarbonate, an oviductal activatory molecule, was assessed, in order to study the role exerted by the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) in the process of lipid membrane remodeling crucial to complete capacitation. To this aim, boar sperm were incubated in vitro under capacitating conditions (stimulated by bicarbonate) in the presence or in the absence of methanandamide (Met-AEA), a non-hydrolysable analogue of anandamide.

Electronic paramagnetic resonance investigation of the activity of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil on the Listeria monocytogenes membrane.

Aims: To evaluate the effect of oregano essential oil on Listeria monocytogenes cytoplasmic membrane.

Methods And Results: Nitroxide free-radical Electron Paramagnetic Resonance was applied on L. monocytogenes after 30 min exposure to oregano essential oil concentrations ranging from 0 to 1.

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure affects fertilization outcome in swine animal model.

Modern society continuously exposes the population to electromagnetic radiation, the effects of which on human health, in particular reproduction, are still unknown. The aim of this research was to assess the effect of acute (1h) exposure of boar spermatozoa to a 50 Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on early fertility outcome. The effect of intensities ranging from 0 to 2 mT on morpho-functional integrity of capacitated spermatozoa was examined in vitro.