Endocrinological effects of strong 60-Hz electric fields on rats

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981 · Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.2250020203· OSTI ID:5460887

Free, M J ^[1]; Kaune, W T; Phillips, R D; Cheng, H C

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1. Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA

Adult male rats were exposed or sham-exposed to 60-Hz electric fields without spark discharges, ozone, or significant levels or other secondary variables. No effects were discharges, ozone, or significant levels of other secondary variables. No effects were observed on body weights or plasma hormone levels after 30 days of exposure at an effective field strength of 68 kV/m. After 120 days of exposure (effective field strength = 64 kV/m), effects were inconsistent, with signficant reductions in body weight and plasma levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and corticosterone occurring in one replicate experiment but not in the other. Plasma testosterone levels were significantly reduced after 120 days of exposure in one experiment, with a similar but not statistically significant reduction in a replicate experiment. Weanling rats, exposed or sham-exposed in electric fields with an effective field strength of 80 kV/m from 20 to 56 days of age, exhibited identical or closely similar growth trends in body and organ weights. Hormone levels in exposed and sham-exposed groups were also similar. However, there was an apparent phase shift between the two groups in the cyclic variations of concentrations of hormones at different stages of development, particularly with respect to follicle-stimulating hormone and corticosterone. We concluded that 60-Hz electric fields may bring about subtle changes in the endocrine system of rats, and that these changes may be related to alterations in episodic rhythms.

• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RLO-1830
• OSTI ID: 5460887
• Journal Information: Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States), Vol. 2
• 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
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
AGE DEPENDENCE
CORTICOSTERONE
FISHES
MALES
ORGANS
RATS
TESTOSTERONE
WEIGHT
ADRENAL HORMONES
ANDROGENS
ANDROSTANES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BODY
CORTICOSTEROIDS
GLANDS
GLUCOCORTICOIDS
HORMONES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KETONES
MAMMALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PREGNANES
RODENTS
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
VERTEBRATES
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects