Pulsed electric field increases reproduction

AbstractPurpose To study the effect of pulsed electric field – applied in corona discharge photography – on Drosophila melanogaster reproduction, possible induction of DNA fragmentation, and morphological alterations in the gonads.Materials and methods Animals were exposed to different field intensities (100, 200, 300, and 400 kV/m) during the first 2–5 days of their adult lives, and the effect on reproductive capacity was assessed. DNA fragmentation during early- and mid-oogenesis was investigated by application of the TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP Nick End Labeling) assay. Sections of follicles after fixation and embedding in resins were observed for possible morphological/developmental abnormalities.Results The field increased reproduction by up to 30% by increasing reproductive capacity in both sexes. The effect increased with increasing field intensities. The rate of increase diminished at the strongest intensities. Slight induction of DNA fragmentation was observed exclusively in ...