Influence of development on the number of calcitonin‐containing cells in the mouse thyroid

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Abstract
Calcitonin‐containing cells in serial, 6‐μm sections of the thyroid glands of Swiss Webster mice, at 1 day, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks of age, were demonstrated by an immunoperoxidase method, using antiserum to human calcitonin. C‐cell nuclei were counted in every sixth section of both left and right lobes. The average number of C‐cells counted in the thyroid glands of 8‐week‐old animals was 18‐fold, 5.5‐fold and 2.5‐fold greater than the number observed in 1‐day, 2‐week and 4‐week‐old animals, respectively. C‐cell concentration was found to be greatest in 4‐week‐old mice. Mitoses of C‐cells were observed in animals which were 1 day, 2 weeks and four weeks old. No mitotic figures were seen in 8‐week‐old animals. A few C‐cells were seen in close association with neurons. The volume of the thyroid glands of 8‐week‐old animals was about 14‐, 4‐ and 3‐fold greater than the volume in the 1‐day‐old, 2‐week‐old and 4‐week‐old mice, respectively.These changes in the C‐cell population during development provide a model for the study of C‐cell proliferation and storage of calcitonin.