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

Bioelectromagnetics · 1995 · Mixed · Very low evidence

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MixedVery low evidencePaper 5446

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 1995

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

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, we 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 scheduled "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.

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Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationTwo baboons (nonhuman primates)

Sample size2

ExposureELF · 0.06 MHz

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In two baboons exposed to combined 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields with rapid onsets/offsets (with associated electric-field transients), profound reductions in nocturnal serum melatonin concentration were observed. The abstract contrasts this with prior primate experiments in which 6 weeks of daytime exposure with regularly scheduled slow onsets/offsets did not show melatonin suppression.

Outcomes measured

Nocturnal serum melatonin concentration

Limitations

Very small sample size (two baboons)
Findings described as needing replication in a more extensive experiment
Exposure duration and detailed exposure metrics (field strengths) not provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.06,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Two baboons (nonhuman primates)",
  "sample_size": 2,
  "outcomes": [
    "Nocturnal serum melatonin concentration"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In two baboons exposed to combined 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields with rapid onsets/offsets (with associated electric-field transients), profound reductions in nocturnal serum melatonin concentration were observed. The abstract contrasts this with prior primate experiments in which 6 weeks of daytime exposure with regularly scheduled slow onsets/offsets did not show melatonin suppression.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Very small sample size (two baboons)",
    "Findings described as needing replication in a more extensive experiment",
    "Exposure duration and detailed exposure metrics (field strengths) not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "60 Hz",
    "ELF",
    "electric field",
    "magnetic field",
    "transients",
    "rapid onset/offset",
    "melatonin",
    "nocturnal",
    "serum",
    "baboons",
    "nonhuman primates"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Study concerns power-frequency (60 Hz) electric and magnetic field exposure, which is commonly discussed in occupational/utility contexts, though the abstract does not specify an occupational setting."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1002/bem.2250160712
PubMed: 8787562

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