Sensitivity of thyrotropin secretion to TSH-releasing hormone in food-restricted rats

The aim of the present study was to identify the mechanisms involved in the reduction of TSH secretion during prolonged food restriction. The basal TSH secretion rate, the TSH secreted in response to TRH, both in vivo and in vitro, and the TSH, nuclear T3, and plasma membrane TRH binding sites in the pituitary were determined in rats receiving 75% (FR75), 50% (FR50) and 25% (FR25) of the food consumed by the ad libitum fed rats (controls). The basal TSH secretion rate (microgram.h-1.(100 g)-1) in FR75, FR50 and FR25 groups were decreased by 19, 42 and 74% of control values, respectively, whereas the TSH secreted in response to TRH in vivo and in vitro was reduced by 21 and 13% in FR50, and 55 and 44% in FR25, respectively, of the corresponding control values. Food restriction increased the TRH binding sites from 229 in controls to 322, 479 and 521 (fmol/mg protein), in FR75, FR50 and FR25 groups, respectively, whereas the opposite was seen in nuclear T3(controls 862, FR75 841, FR50 342 FR25 233 fmol/mg DNA). Moreover, a decrease in the pituitary TSH concentration was observed in FR50 and FR25 rats. The data suggest that an alteration in the amount of TRH reaching the pituitary gland is probably the main responsible for the low plasma TSH values during food restriction. However, an inhibitory effect at the pituitary level cannot be ruled out.