Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Effect of starvation on hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid function in the rat

A R Harris, S L Fang, F Azizi

    Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental
    |September 1, 1978
    PubMed
    Summary

    Starvation in rats affects thyroid function. Short-term fasting reduced thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) but maintained pituitary responsiveness, while prolonged fasting altered thyroid iodine metabolism and decreased thyroid hormone levels.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Treatment of hypothyroidism with levothyroxine plus slow-release liothyronine: a study protocol for a randomized controlled double-blinded clinical trial.

    Trials·2025
    Same author

    Transport and thermoelectric properties of bernal stacked bilayer graphene due to lattice vibrations and magnetic field.

    Scientific reports·2025
    Same author

    Preconceptional maternal hyperandrogenism and metabolic syndrome risk in male offspring: a long-term population-based study.

    Journal of endocrinological investigation·2024
    Same author

    Maternal androgen excess increases the risk of pre-diabetes mellitus in male offspring in later life: a long-term population-based follow-up study.

    Journal of endocrinological investigation·2023
    Same author

    Natural history of subclinical hypothyroidism and prognostic factors for the development of overt hypothyroidism: Tehran Thyroid Study (TTS).

    Journal of endocrinological investigation·2022
    Same author

    Weight fluctuation, mortality, and cardiovascular disease in adults in 18 years of follow-up: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

    Journal of endocrinological investigation·2022

    Area of Science:

    • Endocrinology
    • Metabolic Research
    • Thyroid Physiology

    Background:

    • Thyroid hormones are crucial for metabolism.
    • The effects of starvation on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis are complex.
    • Understanding these effects is vital for metabolic and endocrine research.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of short-term (2 days) and prolonged (5 days) starvation on the rat hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis.
    • To assess changes in thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroid hormone levels.
    • To examine the effects of starvation on thyroidal iodine uptake and metabolism.

    Main Methods:

    • Rats were subjected to 2 and 5 days of total starvation.
    • Hypothalamic TRH, pituitary TSH, and serum TSH concentrations were measured.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Thyroidal 131I uptake and intrathyroidal 131I metabolism were analyzed.
  • Serum total and free thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations were determined.

    • Main Results:

    • Two days of starvation decreased pituitary TSH and serum TSH but did not alter hypothalamic TRH.
    • Five days of starvation significantly decreased serum TSH and T4/T3 levels, with a maintained pituitary response to TRH.
    • Fasting altered thyroidal 131I uptake and intrathyroidal iodine metabolism, increasing MIT/DIT and decreasing labeled T4/T3.

    Conclusions:

    • Short-term starvation impacts the pituitary-thyroid axis by reducing TSH, while preserving pituitary sensitivity to TRH.
    • Prolonged starvation leads to decreased thyroid hormone levels and altered intrathyroidal iodine metabolism.
    • These changes reflect reduced TSH stimulation and potentially decreased iodine excretion during fasting.