[State of the rat thyroid gland in coarctation of the abdominal aorta]

In order to study connections between blood vessels and follicular thyrocytes, the method of modulation (a purposeful change of state in one element with registration of states in other elements of the system) was used. In rats chronic increase of blood stream was produced in the thyroid gland; in 15 days it was 54% as high as in the control. The volume of the vascular bed increased by 28% and that of follicles by 26%. Volumetric ratio between the thyroid epithelium and colloid did not changed. Follicular thyrocytes grew high and the nuclear volumes of these cells increased. Thyrocytes greately varied in their height. The number of mast cells in the thyroid gland remained the same. Iodine absorption by the thyroid gland increased as it is dependent on the volume of the vascular bed of the organism (+0.82). The data obtained demonstrate a significant connection existing between the follicular thyrocytes and blood vessels.