One-year follow-up of thyroid status in rats exposed to 2.45 Ghz radiofrequency radiation during the prenatal period.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the thyroid status of offspring exposed to prenatal 2.45 GHz radiofrequency radiation (RFR). In this study, which is the second phase of our previous study, the thyroids of rats exposed to prenatal 2.45 GHz RFR were examined one year after birth. The mothers of the offspring in the experimental group ( = 8) were exposed to 2.45 GHz RFR (whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR): 12 mW/kg; maximum point SAR: 25 mW/kg) 24 hours per day throughout pregnancy. The mothers in the sham group ( = 8) were kept under the same experimental conditions except for RFR exposure. The offspring in this study were not exposed to RFR after birth and continued their daily lives for one year. When the offspring reached one year of age, they were sacrificed and their thyroids were removed and evaluated. Mann-Whitney U and t tests were used for statistical analysis. Increases in fibrosis ( = 0.038), atypical thyrocytes ( = 0.002) and degenerated follicles ( = 0.007) and colloid reduction ( = 0.002) were found to be significant in the experimental group compared to the sham group. However, the increase in the percentage of apoptosis positive cells ( = 0.006) and H2A.X antibody levels ( = 0.007) showed a statistically significant difference in the experimental group compared to the sham group. This study provides evidence that prenatal exposure to 2.45 GHz RFR can induce persistent histological changes, increase apoptosis, and cause DNA double-strand breaks in thyroid tissue observed one year after birth. These results underscore the importance of further long-term studies to assess developmental risks associated with prenatal RFR exposure.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Compared with sham, offspring prenatally exposed to 2.45 GHz RFR showed significant increases in thyroid fibrosis, atypical thyrocytes, degenerated follicles, and colloid reduction at 1 year of age. The exposed group also had higher apoptosis-positive cell percentage and higher H2A.X antibody levels.

Outcomes measured

• Thyroid histology (fibrosis, atypical thyrocytes, degenerated follicles, colloid reduction)
• Apoptosis-positive cells (%)
• H2A.X antibody levels (DNA double-strand breaks marker)

Limitations

• Exposure source not specified in abstract (e.g., Wi‑Fi/router vs other)
• Sample size per group for offspring not clearly stated; only number of mothers per group is provided
• Only one exposure level and one frequency reported
• Endpoints are primarily histological/biomarker outcomes; thyroid functional measures are not described in abstract

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": 0.0120000000000000002498001805406602215953171253204345703125,
        "duration": "24 hours/day throughout pregnancy (prenatal exposure); no postnatal exposure; outcomes assessed at 1 year"
    },
    "population": "Rat offspring prenatally exposed to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency radiation; sham-exposed controls",
    "sample_size": 16,
    "outcomes": [
        "Thyroid histology (fibrosis, atypical thyrocytes, degenerated follicles, colloid reduction)",
        "Apoptosis-positive cells (%)",
        "H2A.X antibody levels (DNA double-strand breaks marker)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Compared with sham, offspring prenatally exposed to 2.45 GHz RFR showed significant increases in thyroid fibrosis, atypical thyrocytes, degenerated follicles, and colloid reduction at 1 year of age. The exposed group also had higher apoptosis-positive cell percentage and higher H2A.X antibody levels.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure source not specified in abstract (e.g., Wi‑Fi/router vs other)",
        "Sample size per group for offspring not clearly stated; only number of mothers per group is provided",
        "Only one exposure level and one frequency reported",
        "Endpoints are primarily histological/biomarker outcomes; thyroid functional measures are not described in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "prenatal exposure",
        "2.45 GHz",
        "radiofrequency radiation",
        "RFR",
        "SAR",
        "thyroid",
        "rat",
        "offspring",
        "fibrosis",
        "apoptosis",
        "H2A.X",
        "DNA double-strand breaks",
        "histology"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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