Thyroid gland function of female rats fed with a cholesterol-enriched diet: Effect of castration

A. C. Bianco, M. T. Nunes, C. R. Douglas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

It has been reported that male rats subjected to cholesterol feeding (1%, 30 day period) show hyperactivity of the thyroid characterized by morphological and functional modifications. In addition, several reports infer that female sexual hormones also interfere with thyroid. It was investigated whether the thyroid stimulating effect of a cholesterol-enriched diet is also found in the female rat, and to ascertain whether the female gonad is involved in this process. When control female rats were fed excess cholesterol an increase in 1 h and 24 h 131I thyroid uptake (RAIU) was observed. An increased T/S ratio was also found. In contrast the rate of secretion of thyroid hormones was unmodified as well as T4 and T3 serum concentrations. When female rats were previously castrated both RAIU and thyroid secretion were increased after cholesterol feeding as shown by increased T4 and T3 serum concentrations. These results suggest sexual differences in thyroid secretion after cholesterol intake, apparently due to the ovary.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)972-973
Number of pages2
JournalIRCS Medical Science
Volume10
Issue number12
StatePublished - 1982
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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