Ultrastructural aspects of experimental isoimmune thyroiditis and of its changes after TSH.

Abstract

The AA induced isoimmune thyroiditis in the guinea pig using homologous total thyroid extract. They studied carefully the most intimate ultrastructural alterations in basal conditions and after a single TSH stimulation. About 20% of follicles were grossly damaged, with very little signs of function and did not respond to TSH. About 70% of follicles were less damaged, with very rudimental functional aspects and did not respond to TSH. Only 10% of follicular units, with small alterations of epitelial cells exhibited quite slight changes after the tropin. Very small interstitial infiltration is detectable at the immunization time considered.