RF Safe

Plasma thyroid hormones and corticosterone levels in blood of chicken embryos and post hatch chickens exposed during incubation to 1800 MHz electromagnetic field.

International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health · 2014 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4709

Embryos exposed during incubation to a 1800 MHz EMF (0.1 W/m^2; 10×/day for 4 min) had decreased plasma T4 and T3 and increased plasma corticosterone at embryonic stages and in newly hatched chicks. No changes in these hormone levels were observed in birds re…

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of occupational medicine and environmental health · 2014
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study attempted to determine the effect of a 1800 MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) (only carrier frequency) on thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and corticosterone (CORT) concentrations in the blood plasma of chick embryos, and to investigate the effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure during embryogenesis on the level of these hormones in birds that are ready for slaughter. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Throughout the incubation period, embryos from the experimental group were exposed to a 1800 MHz EMF with power density of 0.1 W/m(2), 10 times during 24 h for 4 min. Blood samples were collected to determine T4, T3 and CORT concentrations on the 12th (E12) and 18th (E18) day of incubation, from newly hatched chicks (D1) and from birds ready for slaughter (D42). RESULTS: The experiment showed that T4 and T3 concentrations decreased markedly and CORT levels increased in the embryos and in the newly hatched chicks exposed to EMF during embryogenesis. However, no changes were found in the level of the analyzed hormones in the birds ready for slaughter. Differences in T4 and T3 plasma concentrations between the EMF-exposed group and the embryos incubated without additional EMF were the highest in the newly hatched chicks, which may be indicative of the cumulative effect of electromagnetic field on the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPT). DISCUSSION: The obtained results suggest that additional 1800 MHz radio frequency electromagnetic field inhibits function of HPT axis, however, it stimulates hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis by inducing adrenal steroidogenic cells to synthesize corticosterone. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which radio EMFs affect HPT and HPA axis function in the chicken embryos.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal
Effect directionmixed
PopulationChicken embryos and post-hatch chickens
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 1800 MHz · Throughout incubation; 10 times per 24 h for 4 min each exposure
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Embryos exposed during incubation to a 1800 MHz EMF (0.1 W/m^2; 10×/day for 4 min) had decreased plasma T4 and T3 and increased plasma corticosterone at embryonic stages and in newly hatched chicks. No changes in these hormone levels were observed in birds ready for slaughter (day 42).

Outcomes measured

  • Plasma thyroxine (T4) concentration
  • Plasma triiodothyronine (T3) concentration
  • Plasma corticosterone (CORT) concentration

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
  • Exposure metric reported as power density; SAR not provided
  • Only carrier frequency exposure noted; modulation details not provided
  • Mechanisms are speculative and stated as needing further investigation
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 1800,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Throughout incubation; 10 times per 24 h for 4 min each exposure"
  },
  "population": "Chicken embryos and post-hatch chickens",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Plasma thyroxine (T4) concentration",
    "Plasma triiodothyronine (T3) concentration",
    "Plasma corticosterone (CORT) concentration"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Embryos exposed during incubation to a 1800 MHz EMF (0.1 W/m^2; 10×/day for 4 min) had decreased plasma T4 and T3 and increased plasma corticosterone at embryonic stages and in newly hatched chicks. No changes in these hormone levels were observed in birds ready for slaughter (day 42).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Exposure metric reported as power density; SAR not provided",
    "Only carrier frequency exposure noted; modulation details not provided",
    "Mechanisms are speculative and stated as needing further investigation"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "1800 MHz",
    "radiofrequency",
    "EMF",
    "chicken embryo",
    "incubation exposure",
    "thyroxine",
    "triiodothyronine",
    "corticosterone",
    "HPT axis",
    "HPA axis",
    "power density 0.1 W/m^2"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.2478/s13382-014-0222-7
PubMed: 24488772

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