TSH synthesis and release in the thyroidectomized rat: b) effect of T3

The time and dose dependent effects of T3 on the anterior pituitary (AP) TSH release and synthesis were studied in rats 5 days after thyroidectomy (T-5d). T3, in various doses, was injected iv to animals which were kileed at various times later. Plasma and AP TSH were measured. T3 lowered plasma TSH to a minimum within 3 h. An inverse linear relationship was found between T3, up to 634 +/- 134 ng/100 g b.w. (mean +/- SD) and plasma TSH. Higher doses of T3 did not lower plasma TSH any further. At T3 of 634 +/- 134 ng/100 g b.w. the specific AP binder was calculated to be 68% to 90% saturated; thus suggesting a relationship between occupancy by T3 of the AP binder and the regulation of TSH release. The TSH release and synthesis rates were compared after 0.5 micrograms, 1 microgram and 25 micrograms T3. All three doses of T3 suppressed the release as well as the synthesis. The effect of T3 on the synthesis rate, however, lagged behind the effect on the release both in time and magnitude.