Possible adverse effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) are linked to a decrease of antioxidant defenses and the production of free radicals. The increase of free radicals affects the mitochondrial functionality inducing apoptosis, which affects the phosphorylation and generation of key ATP in fertilization. Myrciaria dubia, known as "camu camu," is a fruit with high levels of ascorbic acid, which exerts an important antioxidant function in the prevention of premature cell damage. In this study, the effect of Myrciaria dubia flour on oxidative damage produced by ELF-MF (610 μT) was evaluated by detecting the activity of endogenous mitochondrial oxidoreductase enzymes in a complete sperm cycle of mice. We found that the MF caused a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in sperm quality, whereas the groups supplied with Myrciaria dubia flour (50 and 75 mg/kg of body mass) in ELF-MF exposure showed a significant recovery (P < 0.05) in parameters of viability, percentage of plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity, and index of epidymal sperm. This suggests that Myrciaria dubia flour would have an antioxidant activity that counteracts the damaging effects of ELF-MF in spermatogenesis and could be used as a natural ELF-MF protector. Bioelectromagnetics. 40:91-103, 2019. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Keywords: ELF-MF; Myrciaria dubia; infertility; mice; mitochondrial activity; spermatozoa.
© 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society.