Effect of Thyroidectomy on Ovarian Mucopolysaccharides

Abstract

Thyroidectomy in rabbits brought about enlargement of the ovaries. Four out of ten thyroidectomized animals presented polycystic ovaries consisting mostly of giant follicles. The increased ovarian weight was due to an increased content of water which was accompanied by an increased concentration of hexosamine. Microscopic examination revealed a hypertrophy of the follicular tissue. The fluid of the large follicles, staining metachromatically with toluidine blue had a high content of acid mucopolysaccharides. The Graafian follicles of the thyroidectomized animals showed an increased uptake of 35S, whereas developing follicles, with a high production of metachromatic substance incorporated only negligeable amounts of 35S.

A Comparison of the Effects of Altered Thyroid and Parathyroid Function on Reproduction in the Rat

“…In previous investigations concerning the effects of hypothyroidism in reproduction, the possible effects of the reduced caloric intake wh ich occurs after surgical thyroidectomy in the rat have generally been disregarded , Haar, Gay and Young 1946, Krohn 1950, Peterson et al 1952and Thorsoe 1961. Other studies (lones, DelIs and Foote 1946, Krohn and White 1950, Lucas, Brunstad and Fowler 1958, Walton and Dawson 1967 have involved the use of a goitrogen which may itself reduce fetal survival (Myant 1964).…”

“…Thyroidectomy in the rabbit resulted in an increase in the number of unruptured follicles , enlarged, polycystic ovaries (Thorsoe 1961), a decrease in the number of ovulations , prolonged ge station , and a reduction of litter size (Krohn 1951). Although surgical thyroidectomy in the guinea pig resulted in areduction in the percent of animals in estrous, percent of fertile matings and young born alive, !ittle effect on reproduction was observed following propylthiouracil administration (Pe terson , Webster, Rayner and Young 1952).…”