Abstract

Background and Aims

Today, human beings are exposed to the ELF magnetic field of electrical equipment and power lines, which can damage Leydig cells and alter the secretion of reproductive hormones. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between exposure to ELF magnetic field and the level of some reproductive hormones in male power plant workers.

Materials and Methods

The present cross‐sectional study was carried out among all male employees of different units of the selected power plant around Tehran, Iran. All participants were asked to complete demographic data sheets and General Health questionnaire, on condition of consent and meeting the inclusion criteria. Time‐weighted average (TWA) exposure to magnetic field of 122 men was measured by IEEE Std C95.3.1 method using TES 1393 Gauss meter. Based on the exposure level, subjects were divided into three groups. Serum Levels of Free Testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in participants were determined. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA, Kruskal‐Wallis tests, and the relationships between variables were assessed by linear regression and correlation using SPSS v.25 software.

Results

There was no significant statistical correlation between the level of ELF exposure and serum levels of free testosterone, LH, and FSH, (r = 0.158). Serum levels of LH decreased significantly with age and duration of work experience (P < .05, r = −.25, P = .005, r = −.203, P = .025).

Conclusion

There was no relationship between exposure to magnetic field in power plants and reproductive hormone levels, although it is impossible to make definitive comments without using more accurate methods to estimate male fertility.

Details

Title
Relationship between exposure to Extremely Low‐Frequency (ELF) magnetic field and the level of some reproductive hormones among power plant workers
Author
Suri, Sheari 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Dehghan, Somayeh F 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Sahlabadi, Ali S 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Ardakani, Soheila K 3 ; Moradi, Nariman 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Rahmati, Maryam 5 ; Tehrani, Fahimeh R 6 

1  Department of Occupational Health and Safety, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 
2  Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 
3  Department of Biostatistics, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 
4  Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 
5  Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 
6  Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 
Section
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Publication year
2020
Publication date
Jan/Dec 2020
Publisher
Oxford University Press
ISSN
13419145
e-ISSN
13489585
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/1348-9585.12173
ProQuest document ID
2472960863
Copyright
© 2020. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.