刺激疑核对甲状腺功能的影响

实验用3-4月龄健康青紫蓝家兔15只,麻醉后于AP20-219L1-1.8处插入同心圆电极(H20-21),用电子刺激器刺激。在刺激前及刺激后每隔一定时间采血检测血浆中T3、T4、TSH含量。实验完毕,用电损毁法做极尖定位,并做组织学检查,电极尖端位于疑核的作为实验组(10例),余为对照组(5例)。对其中6例(实验组3例,对照组3例)采取两侧甲状腺做超微结构观察。结果:刺激疑核后血浆中T3、T4含量下降,TSH含量无变化,而对照组T3、T4、TSH变化均不明显;实验组甲状腺显示滤泡上皮细胞功能不活跃的结构相,对照组显示功能较旺盛的结构相。由此认为,疑核与甲状腺之间存在机能联系,刺激疑核可引起甲状腺功能抑制,并且这种联系可能是由起源于疑核,支配甲状腺的副交感神经所介导的。     

The effects of different iodide availabilities on thyroid function during development in Japanese quail

Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) were used to study the effects of different egg iodide (I) availabilities on thyroid function during development. Low (less than 50 micrograms 1/kg feed in the maternal diet) and high (1200 micrograms 1/kg feed) I availability were compared to control levels (800 micrograms 1/kg feed), a standard supplementation for game bird feed. We measured thyroid gland content of I, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), plasma concentrations of T3 and T4, hepatic 5' monodeiodinase (5'-D) activity, and the response of the thyroid gland to thyrotrophin (TSH) stimulation. Embryos, on day 14 of the 16.5-17 day incubation period, and 1-day chicks were used for most studies but thyroid gland hormone content and plasma hormone concentrations were determined for more stages. With high I, thyroidal I content was elevated but thyroidal T4 and T3 were not different from controls. Plasma T3 and T4, the thyroid gland response to TSH stimulation, and hepatic 5'-D activity did not differ between control and high I. Reduced body weight occurred with high I. In general, thyroid gland weight was not altered, but some high I birds exhibited thyroid hypertrophy and altered thyroid gland function. With low I availability, thyroid gland contents of I and T4 were reduced but thyroidal T3 content was maintained. The thyroid gland response to TSH stimulation, plasma thyroid hormone concentrations, and the developmental patterns of plasma thyroid hormones, hepatic 5'-D activity, body weight and thyroid weight were not different between control and low I groups. Developing Japanese quail exhibit excellent ability to adjust thyroid function over a wide range of I availabilities. Regulation appears to occur at the level of thyroid hormone synthesis in the thyroid gland, which allows most aspects of thyroid dynamics to remain unchanged in the maintenance of circulating thyroid hormone concentrations.     

Changes in thyroxine, 3,3',5-triiodothyronine and 3,3'5'-triiodothyronine content in the thyroid gland and in serum to thyroid tissue iodothyronine ratios during ontogenesis in the fetal pig

The concentrations of thyroxine (T4), 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3; rT3) in thyroid gland tissue and serum of the fetal pig (n = 68) from day 39 to 113 of gestation were measured. Tracer quantities of iodothyronines, displaying the onset of thyroid hormone activity, were found in the thyroid tissue on day 39, i.e. before the appearance of a measurable quantity of iodothyronines in the serum. The T4 and T3 thyroidal content showed the first rise between days 56 and 76. Then, T3 was increasing sharply from day 92 till birth, while T4 content was decreasing from about day 76 to a low value between day 92 and 105, and then showing an increase shortly before birth. The rT3 content was the highest on day 39 and then it was steadily decreasing to reach a nadir on about day 76. Measurable amounts of thyroid hormones (TH) in the serum were observed not earlier than on day 46 of gestation. Near birth, the tissues of the pig fetus are in a milieu characterised by the highest blood TH concentrations. The serum to thyroid concentration ratio for rT3 and T4 was generally below 1.0 until the last trimester of gestation, when it was over 5.0 for rT3 and over 4.0 for T4. By contrast, the T3 serum to thyroid ratio was below 0.5 throughout the gestation. The results show that the fetal pig thyroid displays a low rT3 and T4 content, but the marked T3 elevation observed near term supports the view that a high production and secretion of T3 near term may be a critical factor for normal postnatal adaptation to extrauterine cooling in the pig.     

Within- and between-examiner agreement for two thyroid palpation techniques in healthy and hyperthyroid cats

Thyroid gland palpation is an important aid for diagnosing feline hyperthyroidism in an early stage to prevent development of deleterious complications. Our objectives were to assess within- and between-examiner agreement for two thyroid gland palpation techniques in cats and to correlate palpation results with ultrasonographic thyroid measurements. Nine client-owned hyperthyroid (12.6 +/- 2.4 years) and 10 healthy control cats (7.4 +/- 5.4 years) entered this prospective study. Both thyroid glands of all cats were palpated twice by three blindfolded clinicians with the classic palpation technique [technique 1 (T1)] and the technique described by Norsworthy GD, Adams VJ, McElhaney MR, Milios JA [(2002a) Relationship between semi-quantitative thyroid palpation and total thyroxine concentration in cats with and without hyperthyroidism. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 4, 139-143] [technique 2 (T2)]. A semi-quantitative score from 1 to 6 was assigned to the gland size. After clipping of the ventral cervical region, another palpation session followed by ultrasonography of the thyroid glands was performed. Average weighted kappa-values within- and between-examiners were 0.864 and 0.644 for T1 and 0.732 and 0.532 for T2. T1 did lead to significantly smaller within- (P=0.007) and between-examiner (P=0.048) differences than T2. Significant correlation coefficients (P<0.001) between the palpation scores of both techniques and ultrasonographic thyroid lobe length (T1: 0.43; T2: 0.38) were observed. No significant difference before and after clipping was found (T1: P=0.503; T2: P=0.607). The first time that all cats were palpated by either technique, significant score differences between control and hyperthyroid cats were observed both for T1 (P=0.002) and T2 (P=0.003). Both feline thyroid gland palpation techniques have good within- and between-examiner agreements. Based on this study, the classic palpation technique is preferred.     

Work intolerance in a horse with thyroid carcinoma

A thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed in a 14-year-old competitive trail horse with a 3-month history of work intolerance. Abnormal findings included low base-line triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) values, a large thyroid gland and decreased work tolerance. Nuclear medicine scanning revealed displacement of the right thyroid gland by a mass. Needle biopsy of the mass revealed neoplastic changes compatible with thyroid carcinoma. After removing the tumor surgically, T3 and T4 values returned to normal. Subsequently, the horse was able to compete successfully. Horses with work intolerance combined with a large thyroid gland may develop a thyroid carcinoma. In such horses, T3 and T4 values should be determined; if abnormal values are detected, needle biopsy and scintigraphic evaluation should be considered.     

Selective parathyroidectomy of the dog.

Selective parathyroidectomy (PTX) is preferred to thyroparathyroidectomy (TPTX) when specific effects of parathyroid hormone depletion are being studied. However, because of the anatomic proximity of thyroid and parathyroid glands, TPTX often is performed, leaving animals depleted of thyroxine (T4) and calcitonin as well as parathyroid hormone (PTH). In the present study, six normal dogs had parathyroid tissue and about seven-eighths of thyroid tissue removed. This quantity of thyroid tissue was inadequate to maintain normal serum T4 concentrations, despite allowance of 168 days for thyroid recovery. Five of six dogs with reduced renal mass had successful selective PTX and normal serum T4 concentrations at 28 days, when one-half or more of thyroid tissue was spared. We conclude that with attention to the surgical technique, selective PTX can be achieved in a high percentage of dogs and sufficient thyroid tissue spared to maintain euthyroidism.     

绵羊甲状腺细胞原代培养及鉴定

试验旨在建立一套完整的绵羊甲状腺细胞的原代培养方法,为绵羊甲状腺功能的体外研究奠定基础。通过常规消化分离得到甲状腺滤泡上皮细胞,光镜下对不同培养时间的细胞进行形态学观察,并结合RT-PCR、细胞免疫荧光和ELISA,对培养的绵羊甲状腺细胞从形态,甲状腺球蛋白(TG)、甲状腺过氧化物酶(TPO)、促甲状腺激素受体(TSHR)特异基因mRNA表达,TG特异抗原蛋白表达和甲状腺激素T3、T4的分泌功能等方面进行鉴定。结果显示,绵羊甲状腺细胞在体外呈贴壁式生长,具有上皮样细胞特点;TG染色呈胞浆阳性,具有特异TPO、TG、TSHR mRNA表达及分泌T3、T4的功能,但T3、T4的分泌量随培养时间的延长呈递减趋势。本研究成功地建立了简便可行的绵羊甲状腺细胞的原代培养方法,为深入研究绵羊甲状腺的功能提供了试验平台。     

Effects of propylthiouracil and bromocryptine on serum concentrations of thyrotrophin and thyroid hormones in normal female horses

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: There exists a need for better diagnostic tests to characterise thyroid disease in horses. Currently available diagnostic tests fail to differentiate between thyroid gland disorders and thyroid abnormalities resulting from pituitary or hypothalamic problems. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of treatment with propylthiouracil (PTU) and bromocryptine (BROM) on serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), reverse T3 (rT3) and equine thyroid-stimulating hormone (e-TSH, thyrotrophin) in mature horses. METHODS: Healthy mature horses were treated using either PTU or BROM for 28 days. The effect of treatment on the thyroid axis was assessed by measuring T3, T4, rT3 and e-TSH before and at +14 and +28 days. The effect of PTU and BROM on the response of T3, T4, rT3 and e-TSH to thyrotrophin-release hormone (TRH) administration was also assessed before and at +14 and +28 days of treatment. RESULTS: Treatment with PTU led to a significant reduction in serum concentrations of T3, T4 and rT3 on Day 28 and increase of e-TSH on Day 28 (P < 0.05). Treatment with BROM did not cause any measurable effect on serum concentrations of T3, T4, rT3 or e-TSH. The percentage increment by which serum concentration of T4, T3 and e-TSH increased following stimulation with TRH was decreased by treatment with PTU for 28 days (P < 0.05) but were not affected by treatment with BROM for 28 days. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that 1) treatment with PTU may be used in horses as a model of primary hypothyroidism; 2) the use of BROM as a model of secondary hypothyroidism in horses is not supported; and 3) e-TSH assay deserves further investigation for the clinical diagnosis of thyroid axis dysfunction in horses. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Propylthiouracil effectively causes primary hypothyroidism. There is substantial variability between horses with respect to their sensitivity to this substance when administered orally. Further studies pertaining to the characterisation of equine thyroid disorders are warranted and the use of both PTU for the experimental induction of primary hypothyroidism and e-TSH for the diagnostic characterisation of thyroid disorders in horses should be considered.     

Prevalence of autoantibodies to thyroglobulin, thyroxine, or triiodothyronine and relationship of autoantibodies and serum concentrations of iodothyronines in dogs.

Assays were developed to detect and measure autoantibodies (AA) to thyroglobulin (Tg) and to the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). An ELISA to detect AA to Tg was developed, using purified canine Tg as the antigen and goat anti-canine IgG conjugated with alkaline phosphatase as the second antibody. A highly charged agarose electrophoresis assay was used for determination of AA to T4 and T3. Sera from dogs (n = 119) with clinical signs consistent with hypothyroidism were tested for AA to Tg, T4, and T3. Autoantibodies to at least 1 of the 3 thyroid antigens were detected in 58 of the 119 (48.7%) sera tested. Autoantibodies to Tg were detected more frequently in samples with low serum concentrations of thyroid hormones than in samples with normal concentrations. The presence of AA to T4, T3, or both was not significantly associated with low thyroid hormone concentrations, but this lack of association may have been attributable to binding of AA in the measurement of thyroid hormones by radioimmunoassay.     

QUANTITATIVE THYROID SCINTIGRAPHY AS A PREDICTOR OF SERUM THYROXIN CONCENTRATION IN NORMAL AND HYPERTHYROID CATS

Quantitative thyroid scintigraphy using pertechnetate was performed in 43 cats with various T4 concentrations and compared to eight normal control cats. Quantitative parameters included percentage dose uptake of the radioisotope by the thyroid, thyroid:salivary ratio and rate of thyroid uptake. All cats were anesthetized for the scan, and images were obtained using both low-energy all purpose (LEAP) and pinhole collimators. All quantitative parameters were significantly correlated to the serum T4 concentration, but the best correlation was obtained using the 20-minute thyroid:salivary ratio using only the most intense of the two thyroid lobes. The thyroid:salivary ratio was a good predictor of the metabolic status of the thyroid.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the normal canine thyroid gland.

The magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of the normal canine thyroid gland were retrospectively compiled from images acquired in 44 dogs presented for a variety of diseases unrelated to the thyroid gland. The appearance of the thyroid gland on different sequences, including pre- and postcontrast T1-weighted, T2-weighted, two-dimensional gradient echo, three-dimensional T2*-weighted gradient echo and proton density weighted images, were described in different image planes. The characteristic shape, location, and intensity of thyroid lobes compared with surrounding structures made them easily detectable in all dogs. The most common location of the thyroid lobes was dorsolateral to the trachea with the maximal cross-sectional area of the lobes located ventral to C2/3 or C3 in more than 85% of the dogs. The majority of the lobes were ovoid on transverse images. An isthmus was seen in one large dog and parathyroid glands could not be seen. The mean maximal thyroid lobe diameter on transverse images was 8.1 mm, being twice the mean diameter of the common carotid artery. Considering the excellent conspicuity and characteristic appearance of the canine thyroid gland, MR imaging can be beneficial in the diagnosis of diffuse thyroid diseases, in differentiating thyroid vs. nonthyroid neck masses and in staging and treatment planning of thyroid tumors in this species.     

二狼山白山羊遗传性甲状腺肿发病机理及诊断研究——Ⅰ.测交试验及甲状腺组织中T_3、T_4的免疫组化定位定量研究

内蒙古二狼山白山羊遗传性甲状腺肿杂合子的测交试验,以及其纯合子甲状腺组织中T_3、T_4免疫组化定量、半定量和定位分析结果表明,本病属常染色体单基因隐性遗传病;其纯合子羔羊甲状腺明显肿大(P<0.01),甲状腺组织高度增生,T_3、T_4含量明显降低(P<0.01);T_3、T_4主要定位于滤泡腔胶质和滤泡上皮细胞滤泡腔缘的胞浆中,且着色强弱不一.T_3、T_4的半定量与定量分析之间呈密切的直线相关关系.讨论了二狼山白山羊甲状腺肿大的原因、结果,以及T_3、T_4的定位与甲状腺上皮细胞功能的关系.     

Thyroid function and pregnancy status in broodmares

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether thyroid function was associated with pregnancy status in broodmares. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 79 Thoroughbred and Standardbred broodmares between 2 and 22 years old. PROCEDURE: Serum triiodothyronine (T3) concentration was measured before and 2 hours after i.v. administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), and serum thyroxine (T4) concentration was measured before and 4 hours after TRH administration. Pregnancy status was monitored by means of transrectal ultrasonography beginning 16 days after ovulation. RESULTS: Baseline T3 and T4 concentrations varied widely. In all mares, serumT3 concentration increased in response to TRH administration. Serum T4 concentration increased in response toTRH administration in all but 2 mares. Pregnancy rate was 76%. Baseline and stimulated serum T3 and T4 concentrations were not significantly different between mares that became pregnant and those that did not. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that decreased thyroid function is uncommon in mares and poor thyroid function is not a common cause of infertility. Thus, the practice of indiscriminately treating broodmares with thyroid hormone to enhance fertility appears questionable at this time.     

Effect of recombinant human thyroid stimulating hormone on serum thyroxin and thyroid scintigraphy in euthyroid cats

This study investigated the thyroidal response to administration of recombinant human thyroid stimulating hormone (rhTSH) by means of serum total thyroxine (TT(4)) concentration and pertechnetate uptake by the thyroid gland in six healthy euthyroid spayed female cats. A pertechnetate scan was performed on day 1 to calculate thyroid/salivary gland (T/S) uptake ratio. On day 3, 25 microg rhTSH was injected intravenously. Six hours later the thyroid scan was repeated as on day 1. Blood was drawn for serum TT(4) measurement prior to injection of rhTSH and performance of the pertechnetate scan. Statistically significant differences in mean serum TT(4) concentration, T/S uptake ratio before and 6h after rhTSH administration and T/S uptake ratio between left and right lobes were noted. We can conclude that 25 microg rhTSH increases pertechnetate uptake in the thyroid glands of cats, this should be taken into account when thyroid scintigraphy after rhTSH administration is interpreted.     

Testing of extracted particles from winter rapeseed with different glucosinolate levels in swine with special reference to the iodine supply. 2. Thyroid hormone status, histomorphometric findings and iodine content of the thyroid gland

In the experiment, 2 x 12 growing pigs received 19 or 6.7 mmol glucosinolates + aglucones/kg feed via conventional rapeseed meal (RSM) or RSM of a newly bred variety. These pigs and 24 littermates pair fed with a soya bean meal (SBM) diet were subdivided in groups of 4 animals each. Their diet contained either no supplementary iodine or an iodine supplementation of up to 1 mg/kg feed. In the RSM and SBM groups the lack of additional iodine lowered the serum T4 and T3 content below the detection limit and caused goitre with about 1 mg iodine in the total thyroid. The SBM diet with 0.0625 mg supplementary iodine/kg increased the serum T4 level and reversed the thyroid enlargement but not that of epithelial cells. The hypothyroidism (goitre and serum T4 level approximately 10 nmol/l) still existed in the case of this iodine dosage together with the RSM of the newly bred variety. A serum T4 level comparable to that of the animals fed SBM was only reached by supplementing the low glucosinolate diet with 0.25 mg iodine/kg feed. The iodine content of the thyroid, however, was reduced by 50 per cent. Though thyroid and epithelial cells were enlarged, this enlargement was not so obvious as in animals exposed to higher glucosinolate level. In spite of 1 mg supplementary iodine/kg feed, the feeding of the conventional RSM resulted in a lower serum T4 level a reduced thyroid iodine content and the enlargement of thyroid and that of epithelial cells. Compared to the high glucosinolate RSM, a significantly lower antithyroid effect of the low glucosinolate RSM was found in pigs with iodine supply. The degree of thyroid enlargement and the serum T4 level were the criteria.     

Thyroid activity in relation to feed intake, growth rate and feed conversion in growing heifers

Phenotypic and genetic parameters for thyroid activity (T4 serum level, T4 apparent distribution volume, T4 fractional turnover rate and T4 degradation), and for certain production traits (roughage dry matter intake, daily weight gain and roughage dry matter/kg weight gain), were investigated in cattle. In the experiment, 480 growing heifers were studied, daughters of 20 AI sires previously tested for thyroid activity. Repeatabilities for thyroid traits 2-3 months apart varied, with an average 0.3-0.6 for the different traits. Heritability estimates based on sire components were 0.1-0.4 for the thyroid traits, 0.16 +/- .10 for roughage intake and 0.18 +/- .11 for daily gain. The sire component for feed efficiency (roughage dry matter/kg weight gain) was 0, and genetic correlations between thyroid traits and the production traits in growing heifers were low with large standard errors.     

Assessment of qualitative and quantitative parameters of healthy thyroid gland in adult horses by magnetic resonance imaging

In humans and pets, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides important adjunctive anatomic information about the thyroid and its adjacent structures. To the best of our knowledge, however, no studies have been reported regarding the use of MRI for thyroid evaluation in horses. The aim of this study was to obtain qualitative and quantitative parameters of healthy thyroid gland in adult horses by MRI. Eleven horses were submitted to thyroid MRI evaluation. The healthy thyroid of these animals was ensured by normal examinations performed before (free thyroxine and ultrasound) and after (cytology) to MRI. It was concluded that the dorsal spin-echo T1-weighted, fast spin-echo T2-weighted, sagittal STIR and a three-dimensional T1-weighted gradient echo were the sequences that best characterized the thyroid lobes. Qualitatively, there was a significant variation in the elliptical format of some lobes considering the sagittal plane, which oscillated between rounded and flattened conformation. Excellent reproducibility of the quantitative thyroid parameters obtained was verified. The thyroid gland total volume mean of observers was 14.31 cm³ (±0.69). In relation with comparisons between quantitative parameters of left and right lobes, only differences regarding their respective lengths were observed. Thus, we can infer that the difference in some thyroid lobes format can be explained by the significant variation identified between left and right lobes lengths.     

EVALUATION OF QUANTITATIVE THYROID SCINTIGRAPHY FOR DIAGNOSIS AND STAGING OF DISEASE SEVERITY IN CATS WITH HYPERTHYROIDISM: COMPARISON OF THE PERCENT THYROIDAL UPTAKE OF PERTECHNETATE TO THYROID‐TO‐SALIVARY RATIO AND THYROID‐TO‐BACKGROUND RATIOS

Thyroid scintigraphy is commonly used for evaluation of cats with hyperthyroidism, with the thyroid‐to‐salivary ratio (T/S) being the most common method to quantify the degree of thyroid activity and disease. Calculation of thyroid‐to‐background ratios (T/B) or percent thyroidal uptake of ^99mTcO^?₄ (TcTU) has only been reported in a few studies. The purpose of this prospective, cross‐sectional study was to evaluate a number of quantitative scintigraphic indices as diagnostic tests for hyperthyroidism, including the T/S, three different T/B, TcTU, and estimated thyroid volume. Of 524 cats referred to our clinic for evaluation of suspected hyperthyroidism, the diagnosis was confirmed (n = 504) or excluded (n = 20) based on results of a serum thyroid panel consisting of thyroxine (T₄), triiodothyronine (T₃), free T₄ (fT₄), and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations. In the hyperthyroid cats, median values for TcTU, T/S, and three T/B ratios were all significantly higher (P < 0.001) than values in euthyroid suspect cats or clinically normal cats. All scintigraphic parameters were relatively sensitive and specific as diagnostic tests for hyperthyroidism, but the T/S ratio had the highest test accuracy. The T/S ratio correlated strongly with the TcTU (r = 0.85). However, the TcTU had a higher and more significant correlation (P < 0.01) with serum T₄ (r = 0.76 vs. 0.64), T₃ (r = 0.77 vs. 0.64), and estimated thyroid volume (r = 0.62 vs. 0.38). Overall, calculation of TcTU is an accurate diagnostic test, but also appears to be the best parameter to predict the functional volume and metabolic activity of the feline adenomatous thyroid gland.