[The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)--a suitable endocrinological model of the thyroid gland]

The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) was tested as an endocrinological model of the thyroid gland. For this purpose, 514 animals were applied in our investigation. Besides the elaboration of an animal-specific method for the registration of thyroid function, questions of iodine metabolism, especially the influence of several endogenous and exogenous factors, were elucidated. Taking into consideration the results received we examined the model with regard to its application in functional, morphological, pharmaceutical, and radiotherapeutical questions. The results show that, by means of the method used, the model answers the various questions unreservedly. Further advantage recommend the budgerigar as a model of the thyroid gland.