THYROID-ACTIVITY DURING HEPATOCARCINOGENESIS BY N-2-FLUORENYLACETAMIDE IN THE MALE-RAT

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 36  (1) , 105-117
Abstract
During chemical hepatocarcinogenesis by N-2-fluorenylacetamide, the hormonal status of male Sprague Dawley rats is modified. The histological study of the thyroid gland demonstrates a decreased activity evidenced by an augmentation of the follicle size and a reduced size of follicular epithelium. The levels of T3 [triiodothyronine] and T4 [thyroxine] reflect in part this decreased activity. Comparison with female rats treated in the same conditions shows an opposite effect of N-2-fluorenylacetamide. In the female the thyroid gland presented a hyperactive state accompanied by a drastic decrease of serum T3 and T4. This difference in thyroid activity might play an important part in the mechanism responsible for the sex difference in liver cancer induction by N-2-fluorenylacetamide.