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Scientific Examination Power lines have an effect on hormone levels
High voltage power lines have an effect on hormone levels - but fluctuate seasonally. Researchers have now discovered that calves exposed to alternating electromagnetic fields produce less of the sleep hormone melatonin in winter than in summer. Previous research suggested a link between suppressed melatonin production and the onset of childhood leukemia near high voltage power lines.
Lower sleep hormone production in winter
High-voltage power lines have an effect on hormone levels - but fluctuate seasonally. The University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) reports in a press release that an international team led by Prof. Dr. med. Hynek Burda from the UDE has found that calves exposed to alternating electromagnetic fields produce less of the sleep hormone melatonin in winter than in summer. The scientists published their findings in the "Scientific Reports", a journal of the renowned Nature Group.
High voltage power lines have an influence on the hormone level. (Image: Gina Sanders / fotolia.com) Childhood leukemia near high voltage power lines
Melatonin occurs at night in the pineal gland of the brain and passes through the bloodstream to almost every cell of the body, where it fulfills various functions. It controls the daily and post-rhythms and helps to strengthen the immune system. In addition, it should protect against diseases such as cancer or Alzheimer's. Previous studies have suggested a link between suppressed melatonin production and the onset of childhood leukemia near high voltage power lines. However, so far this has not been clearly demonstrated. In some cases melatonin levels have been elevated in animals kept near high voltage power lines, in others they have been lowered and sometimes unaffected.
Power lines affect milk yield of cows
An international team of Czech, German and Belgian scientists followed suit. The researchers investigated a key prerequisite of the "melatonin hypothesis" based on the saliva of young bovine calves. Study leader Prof. Dr. med. Hynek Burda said, "We chose calves because farmers have long been debating whether power lines affect the health and yield of their dairy cattle. In addition, our working group has been able to prove earlier that cattle perceive magnetic fields. "
Electromagnetic magnetic fields affect melatonin production
The team was able to show that calves actually produce less melatonin when exposed to electromagnetic fields. Interestingly, but only in winter, in summer, the effect even reverses slightly to the opposite. "This seasonal effect of the magnetic field influence is a new insight, which makes the previous studies in a new light. He could also explain why so far uneven results in repetitive experiments, "said Burda.
Influence on health
From this it can be concluded that alternating magnetic fields obviously have an impact on health. But this is much more complex than previously thought. As the press release concludes, the seasonal impact that has now been demonstrated may be central to understanding the mechanisms underlying the interaction between magnetic fields, autonomic physiology, and health. Although it has been controversial among scientists for years whether and how dangerous the effects of power lines and magnetic fields are, among other things the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned in the past about the high-frequency electromagnetic radiation used in mobile communications. (Ad)