title: Magnetic field effects on pineal gland melatonin synthesis: comparative studies on albino and pigmented rodents.
abstract: Previous investigations have shown that the inhibitory effects of an earth-strength magnetic field on albino rat pineal melatonin synthesis is dependent on optic input. The possibility that ocular pigmentation might play a role in mammalian magnetosensitivity was explored in the present study by comparing hooded rat and golden hamsters with albino rats. Pineal melatonin synthesis, i.e. N-acetyl-transferase activity and melatonin content, was utilized as a parameter for assessing magnetosensitivity. In both rat strains nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis was markedly inhibited following a single 30-min magnetic field stimulus consisting of a 50 degree rotation of the earth's field horizontal component. However, golden hamsters did not respond to the same magnetic stimulus, indicating a species-specific magnetosensitivity that is apparently independent of ocular pigmentation. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000417:Albinism; D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008647:Mesocricetus; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D012168:Retinal Pigments; D008550:Melatonin