[Morphofunctional changes in the thyroid glands of rats following lithium chloride administration]

The effect of lithium chloride on the morphological characteristics and function of the thyroid gland of male white rats was studied by histological, histochemical, radioimmunological and radiometric methods. Significant changes in the thyroid parenchyma proper and in the population of parafollicular or C cells were recorded in response to the increased dosage of the substance injected. The lowering of J-accumulative and hormone-binding functions indicates the inhibitory action of lithium chloride both on the phase of hormonogenesis in thyrocytes and on the phase of secretion of thyroid hormones into the blood. Reduction of TTH level in the animals blood plasma suggests that lithium chloride produces the adenohypophysis-mediated action on the thyroid gland.