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THE EFFECTS OF PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO LOWERED AMBIENT TEMPERATURE ON THYROID ACTIVITY IN MATURE FEMALE RATS
Author(s) -
Ibidapo I. I.,
Sofola O. A.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
quarterly journal of experimental physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0144-8757
DOI - 10.1113/expphysiol.1989.sp003256
Subject(s) - thyroid , endocrinology , medicine , thyroid function , iodine , rectal temperature , chemistry , organic chemistry
The effects of prolonged exposure to lowered ambient temperature (18‐19 °C) for 6 weeks, on thyroid function, were studied in mature female rats. Exposure to cold resulted in a significant rise in serum thyrotrophin level but a fall in serum thyroxine. Radioactive iodine uptake by the thyroid gland was also depressed. Rectal temperature was reduced following cold exposure. Histological examination of the thyroid gland was suggestive of reduced glandular activity. Thus prolonged exposure to lowered ambient temperature leads to a reduction in thyroid gland activity which is accompanied by a lower body temperature.