Effects of power frequency electromagnetic fields on melatonin and sleep in the rat

Abstract

BackgroundStudies investigating the effect of power frequency (50–60 Hz) electromagnetic fields (EMF) on melatonin synthesis in rats have been inconsistent with several showing suppression of melatonin synthesis, others showing no effect and a few actually demonstrating small increases. Scant research has focused on the ensuing sleep patterns of EMF exposed rats. The present study was designed to examine the effects of extremely low power frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the production of melatonin and the subsequent sleep structure in rats.MethodsEighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a 1000 milligauss (mG) magnetic field for 1 month. Urine was collected for the final 3 days of the exposure period for analysis of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin, the major catabolic product of melatonin found in urine. Subsequent sleep was analyzed over a 24-hour period.ResultsMelatonin production was mildly increased in exposed animals. Although there were no statistically significant changes in sleep structure, exposed animals showed slight decreases in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep as compared to sham (non-exposed) animals.ConclusionsPower frequency magnetic fields induced a marginally statistically significant increase in melatonin levels in exposed rats compared to control. Subsequent sleep analysis indicated little effect on the sleep architecture of rats, at least not within the first day after 1 month's continuous exposure. Varying results in the literature are discussed and future research suggested.

Radiation Exposure Predicts Reported Vaccine Adverse Effects in Veterans with Gulf War Illness

“…Reactogenic vaccines are reported to produce oxidative stress [ 19 ]. Radiation [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ], as well as pesticides [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ] (and solvents [ 52 , 53 ]), can depress antioxidant defenses, and by promoting mitochondrial impairment can increase free radical production. This shift in antioxidant defenses versus prooxidant forces might suffice to render some normally innocuous vaccines sufficiently prooxidant to produce symptoms.…”

Short- and long-term exposure to alternating magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) affects rat pituitary ACTH cells: Stereological study

“…Studies dealing with ELF‐MF effect on neuroendocrine system have been performed on pineal gland and hypothalamo‐pituitary‐gonadal axis (HPG). It has been shown that ELF‐MF changes serum levels of melatonin (Wilson, ; Dyche et al, ), prolactin, testosterone, luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones (Margonato et al, ; Zecca et al, ; Al‐Akhras et al, ; Al‐Akhras, ; Ahangarpour et al, ). Results are not consistent probably due to different intensities and duration of exposure to ELF‐MF.…”

Effect of exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields on melatonin levels in calves is seasonally dependent

“…In cattle, Burchard et al 14 reported contradictory results between two replicates, whereas other studies 15 16 found no effect of ELFMF on MLT secretion in cows. No effect on the total day MLT but a significant difference in the day-night distribution was reported for mice 17 and a slightly increased MLT secretion was found in adult rats 18 . In humans, short-term studies with volunteers exposed to artificial magnetic fields mainly failed to demonstrate an effect on MLT levels while studies on populations living in the vicinity of strong ELF electric as well as magnetic fields hinted towards a disruptive effect on MLT secretion 5 .…”