Effects of an artificial magnetic field on serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity and melatonin content of the rat pineal gland

Welker, H. A.; Semm, P.; Willig, R. P.; Commentz, J C; Wiltschko, Wolfgang; Vollrath, Lutz

doi:10.1007/bf00239209

Cited by 168 publications

(80 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The magnetic field effect reported by Welker et al (1983) was confirmed by other researchers (Olcese et al, 1985;Olcese and Reuss, 1986). These studies used exposure facilities to rotate the earth's d-c magnetic field by 50 0 which increases field strength up to 1 G (more than double the ambient field).…”

Section: D-c Fields and Melatoninsupporting

confidence: 76%

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Seasonal Patterns of Melatonin, Cortisol, and Progesterone Secretion in Female Lambs Raised Beneath a 500-kV Transmission Line

Lee¹

2000

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There is ongoing controversy about the possibility of adverse biological effects from environmental exposures to electric and magnetic fields. These fields are produced by all electrical equipment and appliances including electrical transmission lines. The objective of this environmental science study was to investigate the possible effects of a high voltage transmission line on domestic sheep (Ovis aries L,), a species that can often be found near such lines.The study was primarily designed to determine whether a specific effect of electric and magnetic fields found in laboratory animals also occurs in livestock under natural environmental conditions. The effect is the ability of fields, at levels found in the environment, to significantly depress the normally high nocturnal concentrations of the pineal hormone melatonin.Melatonin mediates the reproductive response to changes in photoperiod in seasonal breeders such as sheep. Factors which modify the production of nocturnal melatonin in sheep can have important effects on the timing of seasonal reproduction including the onset of puberty in this species.Ten female Suffolk lambs were penned for 10 months directly beneath a 500-kV transmission line near Estacada, Oregon. Ten other lambs of the same type were penned in a control area away from the transmission line where electric and magnetic fields were at ambient levels.Serum melatonin was analyzed by radioimmunoassay (RIA) from 6618 blood samples collected at 0.5 to 3-hour intervals over eight 48-hour periods. Serum progesterone was analyzed by RIA from blood samples 3 collected twice weekly beginning when the lambs were 23 weeks old. This hormone was used to measure the onset of puberty.Serum cortisol was also assayed by RIA from the blood samples collected during the 48-hour samples. This was done to assess whether exposure to the transmission line produced stress in the growing lambs.Other supplemental biological data collected included body weight gain, wool growth, and behavior.1 extensive study was conducted by engineers from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to measure electric and magnetic fields and noise to which the lambs were exposed. Tnis was accomplished by installing permanent monitors near both the control and line pens.Results showed that lambs in both the control and line groups had the typical pattern of melatonin secretion consisting of low daytime and high nighttime serum concentrations. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in melatonin levels, or in the phase or duration of the nighttime melatonin elevation. Age at puberty and number of reproductive cycles also did not differ between groups.Serum cortisol showed a circadian rhythm with highest concentrations during the day. Cortisol concentrations also seemed to reflect effects of known stressors on livestock, e.g., weaning, introduction to new housing, and vehicle transport. There were, however, no differences in cortisol concentrations between groups.Statistical analyses on other biological parameter...

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Section: D-c Fields and Melatoninsupporting

confidence: 76%

“…Welker et al (1983) reported that nocturnal melatonin and SNAT concentrations were quickly depressed in laboratory rats when the horizontal component of the earth's d-c magnetic field was inverted. They reported similar effects when the d-c magnetic field intensity was increased to twice the strength of the natural field.…”

Section: D-c Fields and Melatoninmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal Patterns of Melatonin, Cortisol, and Progesterone Secretion in Female Lambs Raised Beneath a 500-kV Transmission Line

Lee¹

2000

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“…Since the Semm et al (21) (24)(25)(26)(27), and AC magnetic fields (28)(29)(30). There have also been reports that such fields have little or no effect (31)(32)(33).…”

Section: Light Effects On Melatoninmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Melatonin Hypothesis: Electric Power and Breast Cancer

Stevens¹,

Davis²

1996

Environmental Health Perspectives

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“…Moreover, a reduced melatonin concentration has been reported post-magnetic field exposure (Welker et al, 1983), while the suppression of melatonin has been linked to various diseases, including cancer (reviewed in Hill et al, (2011)). Therefore the theory originally devised by Stevens (1987) proposing an ELF-MF associated nocturnal reduction in melatonin synthesis represents a tentative explanation as to the potential oncogenic action of magnetic fields (Wertheimer & Leeper, 1979).…”

Section: Mechanism 1131 the Melatonin Hypothesismentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on mutation induction in mice

Wilson

Haines

Sienkiewicz

et al. 2015

Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutag

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Effects of an artificial magnetic field on serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity and melatonin content of the rat pineal gland

Cited by 168 publications

References 15 publications

Seasonal Patterns of Melatonin, Cortisol, and Progesterone Secretion in Female Lambs Raised Beneath a 500-kV Transmission Line

Seasonal Patterns of Melatonin, Cortisol, and Progesterone Secretion in Female Lambs Raised Beneath a 500-kV Transmission Line

The Melatonin Hypothesis: Electric Power and Breast Cancer

The effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on mutation induction in mice

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