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

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.

AI evidence extraction

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

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.2)
  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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    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 0.059999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
        "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": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "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": 0.200000000000000011102230246251565404236316680908203125,
            "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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