Constant Relation Between Blood Level of Thyrotropin and Total Thyrotropin in Thyroidectomized Mice

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Abstract
In thyroidectomized mice approximately the same relationship exists between the blood level of TSH and total amount of TSH in the TSH-producing pituitary tissue in the body whether this tissue is in situ in the sella turcica or in a tumor in the hind leg, and while the amount of TSH in this tissue varies by 10,000 times from an amount of 20 milliunits to 200 units. These results demonstrate clearly and quantitatively the autonomous release of pituitary TSH independent of any hypothalamic influence. In these mice the units of TSH/ml of blood times 40 gives an approximate measure of total TSH in units in the body. Thyroxine treatment caused a parallel lowering of the level of TSH in blood and tumor.