Rapid-onset/offset, variably scheduled 60 Hz electric and magnetic field exposure reduces nocturnal serum melatonin concentration in nonhuman primates

Journal Article · Sun Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1995 · Bioelectromagnetics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.2250160712· OSTI ID:220642

Rogers, W R; Smith, H D ^[1]; Reiter, R J; Barlow-Walden, L ^[2]

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1. Southwest Research Inst., San Antonio, TX (United States). Dept. of Biosciences and Bioengineering
2. Univ. of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX (United States). Dept. of Cellular and Structural Biology

Experiments with rodents indicate that power-frequency electric field (EF) or magnetic field (MF) exposure can suppress the normal nocturnal increase in melatonin concentration in pineal gland and blood. In a separate set of three experiments conducted with nonhuman primates, the authors did not observe melatonin suppression as a result of 6 weeks of day-time exposure to combined 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields (E/MF) with regularly schedule ``slow`` E/MF onsets/offsets. The study described here used a different exposure paradigm in which two baboons were exposed to E/MF with ``rapid`` E/MF onsets/offsets accompanied by EF transients not found with slowly ramped E/MF onset/offset; profound reductions in nocturnal serum melatonin concentration were observed in this experiment. If replicated in a more extensive experiment, the observation of melatonin suppression only in the presence of E/MF transients would suggest that very specific exposure parameters determine the effects of 60 Hz E/MF on melatonin.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-80RA50219
• OSTI ID: 220642
• Journal Information: Bioelectromagnetics, Journal Issue: Suppl 3; Other Information: PBD: 1995
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BABOONS
BIOCHEMISTRY
MELATONIN
BIOSYNTHESIS
HZ RANGE
BLOOD CHEMISTRY