Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Pineal sensitivity to pulsed static magnetic fields changes during the photoperiod

K Yaga¹, R J Reiter, L C Manchester

¹Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7762.

Brain Research Bulletin

|January 1, 1993

Summary

Pulsed static magnetic fields disrupt rat pineal melatonin synthesis when applied during the dark phase. This effect on melatonin production and N-acetyltransferase activity depends on the timing of magnetic field exposure within the daily cycle.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

[Application and prospects of artificial intelligence from tool empowerment to paradigm reconstruction for whole-course diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases by ultrasound].

Zhonghua gan zang bing za zhi = Zhonghua ganzangbing zazhi = Chinese journal of hepatology·2026

Same author

[Analysis on quality of life and influencing factors in pregnant and postpartum women hospitalized due to influenza in Suzhou].

Zhonghua liu xing bing xue za zhi = Zhonghua liuxingbingxue zazhi·2025

Same author

[Association of changes in trajectory of triglyceride-glucose index with left ventricular hypertrophy in childhood].

Zhonghua yi xue za zhi·2025

Same author

[Risk factors and nomogram construction for predicting long-term survival in hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach].

Zhonghua wei chang wai ke za zhi = Chinese journal of gastrointestinal surgery·2025

Same author

[Prevalence and influencing factors of patients with comorbidity of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia in residents aged 35-75 years in Tianjin].

Zhonghua liu xing bing xue za zhi = Zhonghua liuxingbingxue zazhi·2024

Same author

[Expert consensus on the application of critical care ultrasonography in invasive procedures].

Zhonghua nei ke za zhi·2024

Area of Science:

Chronobiology
Neuroendocrinology
Biophysics

Background:

The pineal gland regulates circadian rhythms through melatonin synthesis.
Melatonin production is influenced by light-dark cycles (photoperiod).
Electromagnetic fields are environmental factors that may affect biological systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of pulsed static magnetic fields on rat pineal melatonin synthesis.
To determine if the timing of magnetic field exposure relative to the photoperiod affects melatonin synthesis.

Main Methods:

Rats were exposed to pulsed static magnetic fields at different times during the photoperiod (day, early dark, mid-dark, late dark).
Pineal gland N-acetyltransferase activity, a key enzyme in melatonin synthesis, was measured.

Related Experiment Videos

Melatonin content in the pineal gland was quantified.

Main Results:

Exposure to magnetic fields during the mid- or late dark phase significantly suppressed N-acetyltransferase activity.
Magnetic field exposure during these times also significantly reduced pineal melatonin content.
No significant effects on these parameters were observed when exposure occurred during the early dark phase or during the day.

Conclusions:

The rat pineal gland's sensitivity to pulsed static magnetic fields varies with the time of day.
Magnetic field perturbations can suppress melatonin synthesis, but only during specific phases of the photoperiod.
These findings highlight the importance of considering temporal factors in studies of electromagnetic field effects on biological rhythms.