Studies on the Possible Endocrinological Effects of an 50 Hz Electromagnetic Field

Milica Matavulj1, Vesna Rajkovic1, Gordana Uscebrka2, Tamara Lukac3, Dusan Stevanovic1, and Bogosav Lazetic4

1 Department of Histology, Institute of Biology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Yugoslavia
2 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Yugoslavia
3 Center for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation “Mljecanica”, Kozarska Dubica, Serb Republic

Corresponding author: Milica Matavulj
    Institute of Biology
    Trg. Dositeja Obradovica 2,
    21000 Novi Sad
    Yugoslavia
    Fax number: Fax: (+381) 21 450 620
    E-mail: matavulj@unsim.ns.ac.yu

CEJOEM 2000, Vol.6. No.2-3.:183-188

Key words:
Electromagnetic field, thyroid gland, pineal gland, adrenal gland

Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine whether 50 Hz electromagnetic fields of intensities, to which humans can be exposed in their homes and work environments, induce endocrinological effects in rats. Morphological and morphometrical changes of the pineal gland, thyroid gland, and adrenal gland of Mill Hill rats exposed to the influence of extremely low electric and magnetic fields (ELF-EMF) of decaying intensity along the animal cages from 500 µT to 50 µT for 7 hours a day, 5 days a week, beginning from 24 h after birth for two to six months of postnatal life, were studied. This work shows that ELF-EMF: (1) depresses the activity of the thyroid gland after three, five and six months, but increases its activity after two and four months of exposure; (2) decreases the volume density of pinealocytes after three months of exposure; (3) decreases the volume density of adrenal cortex and medulla after five months of exposure. Since our results indicate the presence of damage towards endocrine glands caused by exposure to ELF-EMF, further investigations have to be carried out to obtain a greater database and to determine permissible levels of exposure.

Received:  31 July 2000
Accepted:  27 October 2000
| Back |