Electron Microscopy of Articular Cartilage: The Effect of Acute Hyperthyroidism

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Abstract
Single intraperitoneal injections of 10 or 20ug thyroxine elicited a rapid response by articular chondrocytes of growing mice of strain C57BL From 1 to 8 hr. after administration of the hormone there was increasing hypertrophy of the cells accompanied by a marked intensification of organellar development and of multiplication. Regressive processes were promoted together with the progressive changes. No further stimulation was observed after 24hr., but the hormonal effects were again increased, if the injections were repeated at 24 hr. intervals. Subcellular changes similar to those presently reported are considered to precede and underlie the known effects of thyroid hormone on growth and development of cartilage at the tissue and macroscopic levels.