[Readaptation processes in the calcitonin-producing system of the rat's thyroid following 30-day suspension]

Immunocytochemical and cytomorphological studies of ca/citonin-producing cells (C-cells) in the thyroid of rats were conducted on days 0, 2, 8, 14, 30 and 60 of readaptation from 30-d tail-suspension. It was shown that suspension reduced the C-cell pool by 35% and size of C-cell nuclei and cytoplasm by 15% and 12%, respectively. On the contrary, the amount of inactive cells within the total pool increased by 33% at the expense of actively secreting cells (17% loss) and secret depot cells (13% loss). The data suggest a dramatic inhibition of the C-cell functional activity due to insufficient loading of the musculoskeletal system. In 48 hrs. after suspension, biosynthesis in the C-cell population was obviously stimulated as indicated by the increase of nuclei size by 11%. The total C-cell population as well as the proportion of C-cell functional varieties regained normal values by day 8 of readaptation; however, nuclear size remained abnormal which could be consequence of elevated biosynthetic activity in that period. Investigations of morphometric indices of the C-cell functional activity fulfilled on days 14 and 30 of readaptation failed to detect any differences between the suspended rats and their controls. Investigations performed on days 30 and 60 of readaptation showed increases in C-cell population resulting from daily and total body mass gain.