[Morphophysiologic status of the rodent thyroid gland in the case of alimentary obesity]

The studies were carried out on rodents with different ecology, suffering from alimentary obesity. Their weight was 1.3-1.5 that of control animals. Prolonged (3 months) maintaining of the animals in conditions of obesity led to sharp decrease in inclusion of 131I into thyroid parenchyma, synthesis and excretion of SB 131I into blood. Microscopy study of thyroid gland revealed an inhibition of hormone synthesis, as indicated by flattened epithelium, dense colloid in follicles, and other hypofunctional features. Obesity decreases the quantity of food consumed by the animals and their reproductive abilities. Comparison of data obtained on rodents with different ecology revealed that maximal inhibition of thyroid function at obesity was observed in yellow gopher as compared to rat and gerbil.