The effect of ovariectomy on thyroid C cells of adult rats

Abstract

The structure and function of C cells of adult female rats after ovariectomy (Ovx) were investigated. Intact control and Ovx rats were i.p. treated with sterile olive oil for 4 weeks. Peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunohistochemical procedure was applied to localize calcitonin (CT) in thyroid C cells while its serum content was determined by RIA method. Morphometric analyses of the C cells volume, that of their nuclei and relative volume density included stereological method with the multipurpose test system M-42. Also, the average number of C cells number per mm(2) was calculated. Ovx led to a significant increase in body weight (21%; p<0.005). At the same time the C cells of Ovx rats had a significantly decreased cell volume (13%; p<0.005) and their number per mm2 was increased by 59% (p<0.001) in comparison with the controls. Ovx resulted in reduction of serum CT level by 45% comparing to the corresponding controls. Based on these data it can be concluded that Ovx inhibits both the structure and function of the C cells.