Ultrastructure and cytochemistry of thyroid lysosomes following subtotal thyroidectomy

Following subtotal thyroidectomy, the amount of circulating thyroid hormone decreases and causes an increase in the secretion of thyrotropin (TSH) by the anterior pituitary gland. Serum levels of circulating TSH remain elevated until thyroid secretion returns to normal. In this study we have analyzed the effects of such chronic stimulation of thyroid cells by TSH, with particular emphasis on ultrastructural and cytochemical changes in the lysosomes. Weanling Sprague-Dawley rats underwent subtotal thyroidectomy and 6 weeks later the residual thyroid tissue was removed and processed for ultrastructural and cytochemical analysis. There were obvious ultrastructural signs of hyperactivity. The cells were hypertrophied and there were colloid droplets in the cells as well as extremely abundant oddly shaped lysosomes. The lysosomes reacted positively for acid phosphatase and for glycoproteins, suggesting that they are secondary lysosomes, ones which have complexed with thyroglobulin prior to release of thyroid hormones from the cells. This tremendous increase in the number of these structures in the cells is similar to that observed under normal conditions during the aging process and suggests a slowdown in the proteolytic degradation of thyroglobulin during long periods of chronic stimulation by TSH.