MODE OF ACTION OF THIOUREA ON THE THYROID GLAND OF RABBITS

Abstract
Thiourea adm. caused thyroid hyper-plasia in rabbits, as previous investigators have found for the rat, mouse, and dog, even though large quantities of I were given simultaneously. Total I and thyroxine-I analyses, as well as microscopic examination of the thyroids, showed a rapid decrease in both thyroxine and non-thyroxine I under these conditions. This I was promptly excreted in the urine. The inhibition of thyroxine formation indicates that thiourea produced a functional thyrostasis of the thyroid cells.