Hormone Secretion
The
pituitary gland, situated
at the base of the brain, controls the release of a number of hormones
that affect different organs in the body. The pineal gland in the
brain is involved in the secretion of melatonin.
Several studies have examined the effects of EMFs, in the cell phone
range, on the secretion of these hormones in humans, and have had
essentially negative results. Of those listed below, only Burch
and Jarupat and Wood showed statistically significant changes in
hormone secretion. Burch and colleagues (2002) found decreased melatonin
production in male electric utility workers who used analogue cell
phones for > 25 minutes per day. Jarupat found decreased levels
of salivary melatonin in volunteers exposed to cell phones for 30
minutes per hour for 6 hours. Wood found no difference in total
melatonin output between exposed and sham-exposed conditions when
output was calculated with melatonin (concentration x urine volume),
but found a decrease in pre-bedtime output when melatonin/creatinine
ratio was used. This was entirely dependent on 4 individuals out
of a total of 55 who had extreme "outlier" values.
References:
Authors
Augner C, Hacker GW, Oberfeld G, Florian M, Hitzl W, Hutter J, Pauser G.
Title
Effects of Exposure to GSM Mobile Phone Base Station Signals on Salivary Cortisol, Alpha-Amylase, and Immunoglobulin A.
Journal
Biomed Environ Sci. (2010). 23(3):199-207.
Authors
Bortkiewicz A, Pilacik B, Gadzicka E, Szymczak W
Title
The excretion of 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate in healthy young men
exposed to electromagnetic fields emitted by cellular phone - an
experimental study.
Journal
Neuroendocrinology Letters 2002;23 (suppl 1):88-91.
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Authors
Braune S, Riedel A, Schulte-Monting J, Raczek J
Title
Influence of a radiofrequency electromagnetic field on cardiovascular
and hormonal parameters of the autonomic nervous system in healthy
individuals.
Journal
Radiat Res 2002; 158:352-356.
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Authors
Burch JB, Reif JS, Noonan CW, Ichinose T, et al.
Title
Melatonin metabolite excretion among cellular telephone users
Journal
Int J Radiat Biol 2002;78:1029-1036
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Authors
de Seze R, Fabbro-Peray P, Miro L.
Title:
GSM radiocellular telephones do not disturb the secretion of antepituitary
hormones in humans.
Journal:
Bioelectromagnetics 1998; 19: 271 - 178.
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Authors
de Seze R, Ayoub J, Peray P, Miro L, Touitou Y.
Title:
Evaluation in humans of the effects of radiocellular telephones
on the circadian patterns of melatonin secretion, a chronobiological
rhythm marker.
Journal:
Journal of Pineal Research 1999; 27: 137 - 242.
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Authors
Djeridane Y, Touitou Y, de Seze R.
Title:
Influence of Electromagnetic Fields Emitted by GSM-900 Cellular
Telephones on the Circadian Patterns of Gonadal, Adrenal and Pituitary
Hormones in Men.
Journal:
Authors
Jarupat S, Kawabata A, Tokura H, Borkiewicz A.
Title
Effects of the 1900 MHz electromagnetic field emitted from cellular
phone on nocturnal melatonin secretion
Journal
J Physiol Anthropol 2003;22:61-63.
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Authors
Mann K, Wagner P, Brunn G, Hassan F, Hiemke C, Röschke J.
Title
Effects of pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic fields on the neuroendocrine
system.
Journal
Neuroendocrinology 1998; 67: 139 - 144.
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Authors
Radon K, Parera D, Rose D-M, Jung D, et al.
Title
No effects of pulsed radio frequency electromagnetic fields on melatonin,
cortisol, and selected markers of the immune system in man.
Journal
Bioelectromagnetics 2001;22:280-287.
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Authors
Wood AW, Loughran SP, Stough C.
Title
Does evening exposure to mobile phone radiation affect subsequent
melatonin production?
Journal
Int J Radiat Biol 2006;82:69-76
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