exposure.
Corticoid synthesis by the adrenal cortex is controlled by the pituitary. When it is appropriate, a
hypothalamic releasing factor stimulates the pituitary to produce adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) which in
tum stimulates and controls adrenal corticoid production. Thus, Friedman's results were consistent with
an effect at any level in the hormonal system. In a series of experiments, we exposed rats to 15,000 v/m
at 60 Hz to determine whether the field produced an effect on the serum corticoids concomitantly with
an effect on the pituitary (4). We found that following 30 days' continuous exposure, the corticoid
levels were generally lower and the final pituitary weight was higher in the exposed animals (Table
6.1). These results indicated that both pituitary and adrenal function were altered following exposure,
but, because of the feedback nature of the hormonal system, it was not possible to determine which
tissue was affected initially. Recently Novitskiy (23) measured the endocrine system response at each
level following brief exposure of rats to 10-1000 µW/ cm2 at 2.4 GHz. He found increased levels of
serum corticoids, pituitary ACTH, and ACTH releasing-factor in the hypothalamus.
Fig. 6.1. Urine corticoid levels in monkeys during exposure to a DC magnetic field.
Table 6.1. BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE T0 A 60-Hz ELECTRIC FIELD
ELECTROMAGNETISM & LIFE - 85