THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUTION OF BRAIN, KIDNEYS AND HEART OF WHITE RATS IN EXPERIMENTAL HYPOTHYROIDISM

Abstract

Retardation of body growth and of growth of the 3 organs studied was proportional to the residual amt. of thyroid tissue. The hypophysis and the testes showed mild hypertrophy. Increase in size and number of basophilic cells with an increase in secretion of gonadotrophic hormones may have been responsible for incr. testes wt. in the presence of stunted body, kidney, and heart growth. Suprarenal glands were reduced in wt., in direct proportion to the amt. of thyroid tissue remaining. Histopathologic changes of pars ant. hypophysis were a sensitive indicator of relative success of thyroidectomy. 50-60% residual thyroid was able to maintain a normal picture; 30% resulted in increase in size and number of basophilic cells; less than 25% resulted in vacuolar degeneration of these elements. Reduction in size and number of eosinophilic cells was proportional to remaining amt. of thyroid tissue. Chem. analysis of brain, kidneys, heart showed a mild incr. in relative amt. water and marked decrease in absolute amts. of acetone-soluble lipids and phospholipids.