Effects of non-ionizing radiation on the thyroid gland in rats

PAPER manual BMC Research Notes 2025 Animal study Effect: harm Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1186/s13104-025-07297-x Evidence Lab

Abstract

Category: Endocrinology, Toxicology Tags: Electromagnetic fields, Wi-Fi, mobile jammer, thyroid gland, rats, endocrine disruption, histopathology DOI: 10.1186/s13104-025-07297-x URL: bmcresnotes.biomedcentral.com Overview This study evaluated the effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation on rat thyroid function and histopathology. Forty female and thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-220 g, 2 months old) were exposed to 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi, mobile jammer radiation, or a sham condition. - Male rats (Group A) were exposed to Wi-Fi or mobile jammers for 2 hours daily over two weeks, with devices located within one meter of the cage (on or off). - The Sham group underwent the same setup but with devices off. - Group B included non-pregnant females, pregnant rats, and their offspring; all subgroups were either exposed or served as controls. - Researchers measured thyroid hormone levels in serum and performed microscopic histological analysis of thyroid follicle colloid and epithelium. Findings - T4 hormone levels were significantly altered in male rats exposed to mobile jammer radiation compared to controls (p = 0.037). - Among group B offspring, only male rats displayed significantly different T3 levels when exposed to jammer radiation (average = 109.00 in the experiment vs. 65.50 in controls, p < 0.001). - Histopathological analysis also revealed significant morphological differences and disruption in thyroid follicular structure in exposed rats. Conclusion These results highlight a strong potential link between exposure to electromagnetic radiation and changes in thyroid endocrine and histological parameters. - The findings suggest that persistent evaluation of safety guidelines for non-ionizing radiation exposure is warranted, especially regarding thyroid hormone balance and tissue structure. - There is clear evidence of electromagnetic fields contributing to altered thyroid function and cellular structure in exposed rats.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

harm

Population

Sprague-Dawley rats (male and female; includes pregnant females and offspring)

Sample size

Exposure

RF Wi-Fi and mobile jammer · 2450 MHz · 2 hours daily for two weeks

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Male rats exposed to mobile jammer radiation had significantly altered T4 levels versus controls (p=0.037). In offspring, only males showed significantly different T3 levels with jammer exposure (p<0.001). Histopathology showed significant morphological differences and disruption of thyroid follicular structure in exposed rats.

Outcomes measured

Serum thyroid hormone levels (T3, T4)
Thyroid histopathology (follicle colloid and epithelium; follicular structure)

Limitations

SAR/dosimetry not reported in abstract
Exposure characterization for 'mobile jammer' (e.g., frequency/power) not specified in abstract
Details of randomization/blinding not described in abstract
Statistical details for Wi-Fi exposure effects not fully reported in abstract

Suggested hubs

school-wi-fi (0.55)
Includes 2.45 GHz Wi‑Fi exposure (animal study).

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "Wi-Fi and mobile jammer",
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "2 hours daily for two weeks"
    },
    "population": "Sprague-Dawley rats (male and female; includes pregnant females and offspring)",
    "sample_size": 70,
    "outcomes": [
        "Serum thyroid hormone levels (T3, T4)",
        "Thyroid histopathology (follicle colloid and epithelium; follicular structure)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Male rats exposed to mobile jammer radiation had significantly altered T4 levels versus controls (p=0.037). In offspring, only males showed significantly different T3 levels with jammer exposure (p<0.001). Histopathology showed significant morphological differences and disruption of thyroid follicular structure in exposed rats.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "SAR/dosimetry not reported in abstract",
        "Exposure characterization for 'mobile jammer' (e.g., frequency/power) not specified in abstract",
        "Details of randomization/blinding not described in abstract",
        "Statistical details for Wi-Fi exposure effects not fully reported in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "non-ionizing radiation",
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "RF",
        "2.45 GHz",
        "Wi-Fi",
        "mobile jammer",
        "thyroid gland",
        "thyroid hormones",
        "T3",
        "T4",
        "histopathology",
        "Sprague-Dawley rats",
        "pregnancy",
        "offspring"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "school-wi-fi",
            "weight": 0.5500000000000000444089209850062616169452667236328125,
            "reason": "Includes 2.45 GHz Wi‑Fi exposure (animal study)."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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