Biol Reprod Keystone Symposia Conference on Frontiers in Reproductive Biology & Regulation of Fertility.
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BOR - Papers in Press, published online ahead of print September 6, 2006.
Biol Reprod 2006, 10.1095/biolreprod.106.051227
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BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION 75, 948–953 (2006)
DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.106.051227
© 2006 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.

research-article

First Cell Cycles of Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus Are Dramatically Impaired by Exposure to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field

Silvia Ravera , Carla Falugi , Daniela Calzia , Isidoro M. Pepe 1, Isabella Panfoli , and Alessandro Morelli 

Department of Biology, University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, Italy

ABSTRACT

Exposure of fertilized eggs of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus to an electromagnetic field of 75-Hz frequency and low amplitudes (from 0.75 to 2.20 mT of magnetic component) leads to a dramatic loss of synchronization of the first cell cycle, with formation of anomalous embryos linked to irregular separation of chromatids during the mitotic events. Because acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) is thought to regulate the embryonic first developmental events of the sea urchin, its enzymatic activity was assayed in embryo homogenates and decreased by 48% when the homogenates were exposed to the same pulsed field. This enzymatic inactivation had a threshold of about 0.75 ± 0.01 mT. The same field threshold was found for the effect on the formation of anomalous embryos of P. lividus. Moreover, ACHE inhibitors seem to induce the same teratological effects as those caused by the field, while blockers of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors are able to antagonize those effects. We conclude that one of the main causes of these dramatic effects on the early development of the sea urchin by field exposure could be the accumulation of ACh due to ACHE inactivation. The crucial role of the membrane in determining the conditions for enzyme inactivation is discussed.

acetylcholinesterase inactivation, anomalous embryos, early development, embryo, sea urchin, fertilization, LF-EMF effects, neurotransmitters, Paracentrotus lividus

Correspondence: 1 Isidoro M. Pepe, Department of Biology, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 3.5, Genova 16132, Italy. FAX: 39 010 353 8153; e-mail: mario.pepe{at}unige.it






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Copyright © 2006 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction.