Effects of 60-Hz Magnetic Field Exposure on Nocturnal 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin, Estrogens, Luteinizing Hormone, and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in Healthy Reproductive-Age Women: Results of a Crossover Trial

Feb 7, 2006Annals of epidemiology

Effects of 60-Hz magnetic fields on night-time melatonin and reproductive hormones in healthy women

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Abstract

Magnetic field exposure was associated with decreased 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels.

Exposure to a 60-Hz magnetic field may disrupt nocturnal melatonin production.
No significant changes in reproductive hormone levels were observed with magnetic field exposure.
Participants taking prescription medications and those who did not ovulate experienced greater reductions in melatonin levels.
The findings do not support the idea that magnetic field exposure increases levels of estrogen, luteinizing hormone, or follicle-stimulating hormone.

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PURPOSE: Exposure to residential magnetic fields may disrupt the normal nocturnal rise in melatonin levels, resulting in increased risk for breast cancer, possibly through increased levels of reproductive hormones. We investigated whether exposure to a 60-Hz magnetic field under controlled conditions is associated with a decrease in urinary nocturnal 6-sulfatoxymelatonin level and increase in luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estrogen levels in healthy premenopausal women.

METHODS: Using a crossover design, half the participants were assigned to magnetic field exposure of 5 to 10 mG greater than ambient levels for 5 consecutive nights during the early to midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle. On the last night of exposure, a nocturnal urine sample was collected. The next month, participants were sham exposed. The other half of participants were assigned the reverse order of exposure.

RESULTS: Magnetic field exposure was associated with decreased 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels, but no changes in reproductive hormone levels were observed. Participants using prescription medications and anovulatory participants had more pronounced decreases in 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels with magnetic field exposure.

CONCLUSION: This study provides further evidence that exposure to magnetic fields is associated with decreased nocturnal melatonin levels, but does not support the hypothesis that such exposure results in increased urinary levels of estrogens, LH, or FSH.

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Effects of 60-Hz Magnetic Field Exposure on Nocturnal 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin, Estrogens, Luteinizing Hormone, and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in Healthy Reproductive-Age Women: Results of a Crossover Trial

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