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

Authors: Sarhad ZS, Ebrahimbabaei A, Tavassoli A, Shojaeifard M

Year: 2025 May 24

Category: Endocrinology, Toxicology

Journal: BMC Research Notes

DOI: 10.1186/s13104-025-07297-x

URL: https://bmcresnotes.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13104-025-07297-x

Abstract

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.
Electromagnetic fields Wi-Fi mobile jammer thyroid gland rats endocrine disruption histopathology
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