The effects of pulsing magnetic fields on pineal melatonin synthesis in a teleost fish (brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis)

Based on findings in various mammalian species, where exposure to electromagnetic fields decreased the nocturnal synthesis of the pineal secretory product melatonin, we investigated the effects of magnetic field (MF) exposure in a teleost fish, the brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis). Fields were g...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNeuroscience letters Vol. 256; no. 3; pp. 171 - 173
Main Authors Lerchl, Alexander, Zachmann, Andreas, Ather Ali, M, Reiter, Russel J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 13.11.1998
Elsevier
Subjects
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Circadian Rhythm
Electromagnetic Fields
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hormones and neuropeptides. Regulation
Hypothalamus. Hypophysis. Epiphysis. Urophysis
Melatonin
Melatonin - biosynthesis
Melatonin - blood
Photoreceptors
Pineal gland
Pineal Gland - metabolism
Pineal Gland - radiation effects
Radioimmunoassay
Salvelinus fontinalis
Trout - physiology
Vertebrates: endocrinology
Photoreceptors
Melatonin
Electromagnetic fields
Pineal gland
Vertebrata
Endocrine gland
Salvelinus fontinalis
Pisces
Photoreceptor
Pineal body
Biosynthesis
Electromagnetic field
Pineal hormone
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Summary:Based on findings in various mammalian species, where exposure to electromagnetic fields decreased the nocturnal synthesis of the pineal secretory product melatonin, we investigated the effects of magnetic field (MF) exposure in a teleost fish, the brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis). Fields were generated by Helmholtz coils (maximum flux density 40 μT, frequency 1 Hz, 200 ms on, 800 ms off). Melatonin concentrations were estimated by a specific radioimmunoassay. MF exposure significantly increased night-time pineal ( P<0.001) and serum ( P<0.01) melatonin levels, as compared with the controls. It is suggested that either the pineal glands are directly affected, i.e. by an increased Ca 2+-influx into pineal photoreceptors, or that the responses are indirect since induced currents, caused by the rapid rise and decay of the generated MF, may have disturbed the sensory system for electric fields.
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ISSN:0304-3940
1872-7972
DOI:10.1016/S0304-3940(98)00778-2