Effects of 60-Hz electric fields on serotonin metabolism in the rat pineal gland

Technical Report · Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6092641

Anderson, L E; Hilton, D I; Phillips, R D; Wilson, B W; Chess, E K

Serotonin and two of its metabolites, melatonin and 5-methoxytryptophol, exhibit circadian rhythmicity in the pineal gland. We recently reported a marked reduction in the normal night-time increase in melatonin concentration in the pineal glands of rats exposed to 60-Hz electric fields. Concomitant with the apparent abolition of melatonin rhythmicity, serotonin-N-acetyl transferase (SNAT) activity was suppressed. We have now conducted studies to determine if abolition of the rhythm in melatonin production in electric-field-exposed rats arises solely from interference in SNAT activity, or if the availability of pineal serotonin is a factor that is affected by exposure. Pineal serotonin concentrations were compared in rats that were either exposed or sham exposed to 65 kV/m for 30 days. Sham-exposed animals exhibited normal diurnal rhythmicity for pineal concentrations of both melatonin and serotonin; melatonin levels increased markedly during the dark phase with a concurrent decrease in serotonin levels. In the exposed animals, however, normal serotonin rhythmicity was abolished; serotonin levels in these animals did not increase during the light period. The conclusion that electric field exposure results in a biochemical alteration in SNAT enzyme activity can be inferred from the loss of both serotonin and melatonin rhythmicity, as well as by direct measurement of SNAT activity itself. 35 references, 3 figures, 1 table.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6092641
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-10633; ON: DE85007197
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ELECTRIC FIELDS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
SEROTONIN
METABOLISM
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
DAILY VARIATIONS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
METABOLITES
PINEAL GLAND
QUANTITY RATIO
RATS
AMINES
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
AZAARENES
AZOLES
BODY
DATA
DRUGS
GLANDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INDOLES
INFORMATION
MAMMALS
NEUROREGULATORS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PYRROLES
RADIOPROTECTIVE SUBSTANCES
RODENTS
SYMPATHOMIMETICS
TRYPTAMINES
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects