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Updated: May 31, 2026
An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: April 17, 2013
Functional capacity of the thyroid autograft and heterograft: An experimental study
Murat Karaman1, Arzu Tuncel, Shahrouz Sheidaei
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ümraniye State Hospital for Research and Training, Istanbul, Turkey. karaman1398@yahoo.com
Background:
The aim of this study was to investigate the functional capacity of thyroid autografts/heterografts in a guinea pig model.
Methods:
A total of 24 guinea pigs were divided into 4 groups. Group A had only a thyroidectomy incision, and group B had total thyroidectomy. We performed autotransplantation in group C and heterotransplantation in group D. We monitored the guinea pigs for an 8-week period, with weekly measurements of free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). At the final stage, the autografts/heterografts were histologically examined.
Results:
In group B, fT3/fT4 showed a gradual decrease; however, an increase of TSH was noted. In groups C and D, fT3/fT4 showed a gradual decrease, followed by a gradual increase until euthyroid levels; an exact opposite was noted for TSH. In histologic examination, there were functional thyroid follicles in all animals of groups C and D.
Conclusions:
The autotransplanted/heterotransplanted guinea pig's thyroid tissue provides adequate thyroid function.
