Observations on effects of iodine administration in dogs following hemithyroidectomy and unipolar ligation.

Abstract

In a previous communication before this society, it was reported that hyperplasia of the acinar cells was frequently observed in the dog following the removal of one lobe and the ligation of the superior pole of the remaining lobe. During the past year these experiments have been continued under similar experimental conditions, but, in addition to hemisection and ligation, iodine was administered either in the food or by subcutaneous injection as sodium iodide in 10 per cent solutions. Excepting in the first three animals, 10 cc. of the solution was given by subcutaneous injection daily for the post-operative period of 5 to 38 days. The experimental animals were mongrels of medium size, of probable mean weight of 7 kilograms. The data on the accompanying table is incomplete, but in so far as one can estimate from the available material, hyperplasia did not develop in this series of postoperative animals. Compared with the foregoing series in which iodine had not been given, the hyperplasia is much less evident; in a few the activity of the acinar cells is less marked than before lobectomy; and in nearly all, the acini appear well filled with colloid. These observations appear to corroborate those reported by Marine (Harvey Lectures, 1924-25) and to corroborate the contention that iodine administration not only causes a diminution of hyperplasia in simple goitre, but, when given in proper dosage, prevents hyperplasia.