Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones01:20

Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones

Low blood levels of the thyroid hormones — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — signal the hypothalamus to release the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH then reaches the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) into the bloodstream.
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The iodine is then...
Hypothyroidism II: Pathophysiology01:23

Hypothyroidism II: Pathophysiology

Hypothyroidism is a disorder characterized by insufficient production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, energy balance, and multiple organ systems.TypesHypothyroidism is classified based on the level of dysfunction. Primary hypothyroidism results from intrinsic thyroid gland dysfunction, causing reduced hormone production despite normal or increased stimulation. Secondary hypothyroidism arises from inadequate thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion by the pituitary. Tertiary...
Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology01:27

Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology

Hyperthyroidism is a hypermetabolic state caused by elevated levels of thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). It results from dysregulation at the thyroid, pituitary, or immune system level and affects multiple organ systems.PathophysiologyThe most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies, specifically thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSAb), a subtype of TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb), bind to and activate TSH receptors...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
Functions of Thyroid Hormones01:18

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation01:24

Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation

During the initial hours of fasting, the body uses up its glycogen stores as an energy source. Once these glycogen reserves are depleted, the body begins breaking down stored triglycerides and structural proteins. During this stage, glycerol becomes a key substrate for gluconeogenesis, while free fatty acids undergo beta-oxidation to provide energy for tissues, such as skeletal muscle. In the fasting state, the body spares protein breakdown as much as possible to conserve muscle and structural...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same authorSame journal

Loss of Thyroid Hormone Transporters MCT8 and OATP1C1 in Mouse Oligodendroglia Cells Results in a Delayed Oligodendrocyte Maturation and Myelination.

Thyroid : official journal of the American Thyroid Association·2026
Same author

Aging and Western Diet Synergistically Impair Hepatic Thyroid Hormone Signaling to Promote Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) in Mice.

Aging cell·2026
Same author

Correct neonatal free thyroxine reference intervals are crucial to detect central congenital hypothyroidism.

European journal of endocrinology·2026
Same author

Subclinical Hyperthyroidism, Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality: Insights from a Large Dutch Primary Care Cohort Study.

Thyroid : official journal of the American Thyroid Association·2026
Same author

Neuron-specific expression of murine thyroid hormone transporters Mct8 and Oatp1c1 is dispensable for hippocampus-dependent neuronal functions.

Frontiers in endocrinology·2026
Same author

Measuring deiodinase activity: a need for standardization?

European thyroid journal·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

In vivo Characterization of Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Effects via Thyroid Hormone Action Indicator Mouse
04:14

In vivo Characterization of Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Effects via Thyroid Hormone Action Indicator Mouse

Published on: October 6, 2023

Fasting-induced changes in the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis.

Anita Boelen1, Wilmar Maarten Wiersinga, Eric Fliers

  • 1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Thyroid : Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association
|January 30, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Fasting significantly alters the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, downregulating key hormones like thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to conserve energy during food scarcity.

More Related Videos

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model
04:39

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Published on: March 17, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

In vivo Characterization of Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Effects via Thyroid Hormone Action Indicator Mouse
04:14

In vivo Characterization of Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Effects via Thyroid Hormone Action Indicator Mouse

Published on: October 6, 2023

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model
04:39

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Published on: March 17, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Neuroscience
  • Metabolic Regulation

Background:

  • Fasting profoundly impacts the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in both humans and rodents.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms driving HPT axis adjustments during caloric deprivation are not fully elucidated.
  • Rodent models exhibit more acute and pronounced HPT axis alterations compared to humans.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms of HPT axis regulation during fasting.
  • To understand the roles of leptin, triiodothyronine (T3), and pituitary peptides in HPT axis changes.
  • To explore the energy-saving implications of HPT axis downregulation during food shortage.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of gene expression for thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) beta subunit in rodent models.
  • Assessment of leptin's effects on TRH and TSH expression during fasting.
  • Evaluation of serum thyroid hormone (T4, T3) levels and their impact on target gene expression (e.g., liver D1).

Main Results:

  • Fasting dramatically downregulates TRH gene expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus.
  • Pituitary TSH beta mRNA expression decreases during fasting, potentially independent of leptin and TRH.
  • Serum thyroid hormone levels (T4, T3) decrease, contributing to reduced expression of T3-responsive genes.

Conclusions:

  • Fasting triggers a complex downregulation of the HPT axis, involving reduced TRH and TSH expression.
  • Leptin and local hypothalamic T3 concentrations influence TRH neuron activity, while TSH regulation may involve other factors like neuromedin B.
  • The overall HPT axis downregulation during fasting serves as a crucial energy conservation strategy during periods of food scarcity.