Regulation Of Thyroid Hormone Secretion Research Articles

The association between serum soluble α-Klotho and thyroid profile among adults from NHANES 2007–2012

BackgroundThyroid hormone is the key endocrine regulator of growth, development, metabolism, and other bodily functions. α-Klotho has been involved in the aging process and acts as an endocrine factor involved in the regulation of various metabolic processes in humans. However, the relationship between α-Klotho and thyroid profile has not been uniformly recognize.ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between α-Klotho and thyroid profile in adult individuals.MethodsPopulation data of 4614 adult individuals were obtained from the NHANES database during the period of 2007–2012. Weighted multivariable regression analysis was performed using a general linear model with serum α-Klotho as the independent variable and thyroid profile as the dependent variables, respectively. The generalized additive model was used for smoothing curve fitting and threshold effect analysis.Resultsα-Klotho was associated with a slightly higher FT3, TT3 and TT4 level in unadjusted and adjusted regression models. However, a higher α-Klotho level was associated with a lower TSH level. After α-Klotho was grouped as quantiles with reference (Q1), α-Klotho still showed a statistically significant positive correlation with FT3 and TT3 levels in Q2, Q3 and Q4. In addition, α-Klotho was positively corrected with TT4, but negatively associated with TSH in Q4.ConclusionsSerum soluble α-Klotho was positively associated with FT3, TT3 and TT4, but negatively correlated with TSH. The significant effect of α-Klotho on thyroid profile suggests its potential as a predictive marker of thyroid functions, indicating its possible involvement in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion.

Molecular Network-Based Drug Prediction in Thyroid Cancer.

As a common malignant tumor disease, thyroid cancer lacks effective preventive and therapeutic drugs. Thus, it is crucial to provide an effective drug selection method for thyroid cancer patients. The connectivity map (CMAP) project provides an experimental validated strategy to repurpose and optimize cancer drugs, the rationale behind which is to select drugs to reverse the gene expression variations induced by cancer. However, it has a few limitations. Firstly, CMAP was performed on cell lines, which are usually different from human tissues. Secondly, only gene expression information was considered, while the information about gene regulations and modules/pathways was more or less ignored. In this study, we first measured comprehensively the perturbations of thyroid cancer on a patient including variations at gene expression level, gene co-expression level and gene module level. After that, we provided a drug selection pipeline to reverse the perturbations based on drug signatures derived from tissue studies. We applied the analyses pipeline to the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) thyroid cancer data consisting of 56 normal and 500 cancer samples. As a result, we obtained 812 up-regulated and 213 down-regulated genes, whose functions are significantly enriched in extracellular matrix and receptor localization to synapses. In addition, a total of 33,778 significant differentiated co-expressed gene pairs were found, which form a larger module associated with impaired immune function and low immunity. Finally, we predicted drugs and gene perturbations that could reverse the gene expression and co-expression changes incurred by the development of thyroid cancer through the Fisher’s exact test. Top predicted drugs included validated drugs like baclofen, nevirapine, glucocorticoid, formaldehyde and so on. Combining our analyses with literature mining, we inferred that the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion might be closely related to the inhibition of the proliferation of thyroid cancer cells.

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Stimulates Thyroid Activity in a Freshwater Murrel, Channa gachua (Ham.), and Carps, Catla catla (Ham.) and Cirrhinus mrigala (Ham.)

Injections of mammalian GnRH (mGnRH), salmon GnRH (sGnRH), and a homologous murrel, Channa punctatus, GnRH (cGnRH) to a murrel, Channa gachua, and a carp, Catla catla, at a dose of 1 μg/250 g body wt significantly increased plasma thyroxine (T4) levels above control. Piscine GnRHs (sGnRH and cGnRH) had significantly greater stimulatory effects compared with mGnRH. To observe whether this stimulatory effect by GnRHs is direct or indirect, thyroid follicles were isolated from hypobranchial muscles of freshwater murrel, C. gachua and incubated (1×106 follicles/well) in vitro at 30°C for 2 h without hormone and for 3 h with hormones. Addition of these three GnRHs separately at a concentration of 1 μg/well stimulated T4 secretion; sGnRH and cGnRH caused greater secretion of T4 into the medium compared with mGnRH. Specificity of GnRH action in vitro was assessed by using anti-GnRH antibody which significantly (P<0.01) inhibited GnRH-augmented T4 secretion. To gain further insight, 125I uptake by thyroid follicles and formation of [125I]T4 from this radioiodine pool was monitored in the presence or absence of sGnRH. sGnRH greatly augmented 125I uptake by the follicles which resulted a fourfold increase in [125I]T4 formation out of this pool of 125I compared with the control. The results indicate GnRH stimulation of thyroid hormone formation and release in these teleosts suggesting a possible different mode of regulation of thyroid hormone secretion in teleosts.

The neuropeptides, VIP and NPY, that are present in the thyroid nerves are not released into the thyroid vein.

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the neuropeptides, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), which are present in the thyroid nerves, act as physiological neurotransmitters involved in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion and thyroid blood flow. Specifically, we examined whether these neuropeptides can be released into thyroid blood vessels by electrical stimulation of the major thyroid nerves or whether their expression is altered by changes in iodine intake. Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The cervical sympathetic trunk or the superior laryngeal nerve was stimulated by bipolar electrodes in anesthetized rats. During nerve stimulation, blood samples were withdrawn from the thyroid vein. Thyroid blood flow was monitored by laser Doppler blood flowmetry. Sympathetic stimulation caused a marked decrease in thyroid blood flow, which was associated with a significant increase in release of norepinephrine. However, these effects were not accompanied by any change in NPY release into the thyroid vein. Stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve was not associated with changes in thyroid blood flow or VIP release into the thyroid vein. In a separate experiment, rats were fed a diet containing low-, high-, or normal iodine concentrations. Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels in thyroid venous plasma were significantly reduced in rats fed a low-iodine diet but not in a separate group of rats fed a high iodine diet. However, these treatments had no effect on VIP or NPY concentrations in thyroid venous plasma or in thyroid ganglia. Thus, our results indicate that VIP and NPY, which are present in the thyroid nerves, may not be directly involved in the regulation of thyroid function.

Effects of fibroblast growth factor on type I 5'-deiodinase in FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells.

In the present study, we used FRTL-5 cells to study the effects of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) on 5'-deiodinase (5'D) activity and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels. In FRTL-5 cells deprived of TSH for 7 days, type I 5'-deiodinase (5'D-I) activity decreased to low, but detectable levels. Incubation of cells with acidic and basic FGFs significantly decreased 5'D-I activity below the basal levels. After 7 days of TSH deprivation, the addition of TSH (100 microU/ml) to the medium for 3 days resulted in an increase in 5'D-I activity. This TSH-induced increase in 5'D-I activity was blocked by the FGFs in a dose-dependent manner. Kinetic analysis revealed that both acidic and basic FGFs decreased the maximum velocity of 5'D-I activity in the presence or absence of TSH, without any significant effect on the Km of enzyme binding. HPLC analysis of the products of the 5'D-I assay revealed that there was no sequential deiodination of rT3. Incubation of FRTL-5 cells with acidic or basic FGF did not affect basal cAMP concentrations, nor did they block the TSH-induced rise in cAMP. However, acidic and basic FGFs inhibited forskolin- and (Bu)2cAMP-induced increases in 5'D-I activity. Incubation of FRTL-5 cells with TSH, (Bu)2cAMP, and forskolin increased 5'D-I mRNA levels. Incubation of FRTL-5 cells with acidic and basic FGFs decreased steady state 5'D-I mRNA levels and blocked the TSH-, forskolin-, and (Bu)2cAMP-induced increases in 5'D-I mRNA. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that FGFs inhibit 5'D-I activity and mRNA levels in FRTL-5 cells in the presence or absence of TSH. The inhibitory effect of FGFs on 5'D-I in FRTL-5 cells is mediated through either a cAMP-independent pathway or pathways distal to the generation of cAMP. The present data together with the identification of FGF in the thyroid gland suggest that FGF may play a physiological role in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion.

Lack of effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide antagonists on blood flow in the rat thyroid

We used three putative vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) antagonists: 1) [4Cl-D-Phe 6,Leu 17]VIP, 2) [N-Ac-Tyr 1,D-Phe 2]GRF(1–29)-NH 2, and 3) VIP(10–28) to assess the involvement of endogenous VIP in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion and thyroid blood flow (BF). We measured thyroid BF in ketamine-pentobarbital-anesthetized rats using the microsphere technique. Increases in thyroid BF induced by VIP administration (30 pmol-1.5 nmol/100 g b.wt.) were not affected by any of the three compounds tested at doses 10–100 times higher than that of VIP. These compounds (3–15 nmol/100 g b.wt.) also failed to affect basal thyroid BF or hormone secretion. Increases in pancreatic and salivary gland BFs induced by VIP (30 pmol/100 g b.wt.) were also not affected by [4Cl-D-Phe 6,Leu 17]VIP or [N-Ac-Tyr 1,D-Phe 2]GRF(1–29)-NH 2 (3 nmol/100 g b.wt.). These results indicate that the three compounds tested are not effective inhibitors of VIP receptors in the thyroid vasculature and, therefore, they cannot be used in the investigation of the functional significance of endogenous VIP in the regulation of thyroid BF.

α1-adrenergic regulation of thyrotropin-stimulated release of 3, 5, 3’ -triiodothyronine and thyroxine from perifused mouse thyroid

The effect of methoxamine, a specific alpha 1-adrenergic agonist, on the release of T3, T4 and cAMP from perifused mouse thyroid was studied to clarify the role of the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion. TSH-stimulated T3 and T4 release was inhibited significantly by methoxamine. With regard to cAMP release, methoxamine inhibited TSH-stimulated cAMP release in the presence of 4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone but did not inhibit TSH-stimulated cAMP release in the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. Methoxamine did significantly suppress TSH-stimulated release of T3 and T4 in the presence of each phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Depletion of Ca2+ in the perifusion buffer abolished completely the inhibitory effect of methoxamine on TSH-stimulated T3 and T4 release. The present study suggests that activation of the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor inhibits TSH-stimulated T3 and T4 secretion through a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism in the mouse thyroid gland.

Interleukin 6 inhibits human thyroid peroxidase gene expression

It has been reported that cytokines, especially interleukin 1 and interferon-gamma, inhibit the thyroid hormone secretion and the gene expression of human thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin. Interleukin 6 has recently been found to be an important cytokine for the regulation of immunoendocrine interaction and intrathyroidal production of interleukin 6 has been reported. Therefore, we investigated the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion and thyroid peroxidase messenger RNA by interleukin 6 in human thyrocytes to clarify further the functional role of interleukin 6 in thyroid glands. Thyrocytes dispersed from Graves' thyroid tissues were incubated with TSH with or without interleukin 6. TSH (5 U/l) stimulated the expression of thyroid peroxidase mRNA transcripts (4.0, 3.2, 2.1, and 1.7 kb, respectively), although unstimulated thyrocytes contained the low level of 3.2 kb thyroid peroxidase mRNA transcript. Interleukin 6 (10(4)-10(5) U/l) inhibited TSH-induced thyroid peroxidase mRNA in a dose-dependent manner, although the basal level of thyroid peroxidase mRNA expression was not suppressed by interleukin 6. Interleukin 6 also inhibited 8-bromo-cyclic adenosine monophosphate-induced thyroid peroxidase mRNA levels. In contrast, the gamma-action mRNA hybridization signal was not altered in control or treated cells. Subsequently, interleukin 6 inhibited TSH-induced T3 secretion in a dose-dependent manner after 72 h treatment. However, interleukin 6 did not affect DNA synthesis. Pretreatment with specific antibody against interleukin 6 selectively restored the inhibitory effect of interleukin 6 on thyroid peroxidase gene expression. Our results suggest that interleukin 6 plays an inhibitory role in the thyroid gland, in addition to interleukin 1 and interferon gamma.

Helodermin-like peptides in thyroid C cells: stimulation of thyroid hormone secretion and suppression of calcium incorporation into bone.

Helodermin is a vasoactive intestinal peptide-like peptide in the salivary gland venom of the lizard Heloderma suspectum. Helodermin-like immunofluorescence was observed in the parafollicular (C) cells in several mammals and in the C cell homologues of the chicken ultimobranchial gland. Thus, helodermin-like peptides coexist with calcitonin. The results of radioimmunoassay agreed with the immunocytochemical findings. HPLC of rat thyroid extracts revealed one major peak of helodermin-like immunoreactivity, which eluted in a position close to that of lizard helodermin. Helodermin stimulated basal thyroid hormone secretion and colloid droplet formation in conscious mice. The effect of large doses of helodermin was quite long-lasting and the maximal response occurred after 2-6 hr. In addition, helodermin suppressed the incorporation of calcium into bone in conscious rats. The findings suggest that helodermin-like peptides in C cells may be involved in the local regulation of thyroid hormone secretion and in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis.

VIP and hormone secretion from thyroidal follicular and C-cells.

The effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on the cAMP system of the thyroid and on the secretion of T4 and T3 from the follicular cells and calcitonin and somatostatin from the C-cells was studied in perfused dog thyroid lobes. Activation of the cAMP system was evaluated by measurements of the amount of cAMP released into the perfusion medium. T4, T3, calcitonin and somatostatin were measured by radioimmunoassays. 3 X 10(-6) M VIP induced increases in cAMP release and T4 and T3 secretion from the thyroid while there were no significant alterations in calcitonin and somatostatin release (n = 4). In experiments employing both of the two isolated thyroid lobes 100 microU/ml TSH gave considerably higher increases in T4 and T3 secretion than 10(-6) M VIP (n = 4). The effect of 10(-9) M VIP on T4 and T3 secretion was similar to that of 10(-6) M VIP (n = 4). 10(-10) M VIP induced a small but statistically significant increase in T4 and T3 secretion in two experiments while no effect was observed in two dogs. This high sensitivity of the follicular cells to VIP and the demonstration by others of VIP containing nerves in the thyroid suggest that VIP-ergic nerves may be involved in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion.

Peptide histidine isoleucine amide stimulates thyroid hormone secretion and coexists with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in intrathyroid nerve fibers from laryngeal ganglia.

Peptide histidine isoleucine amide (PHI) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) are fragments of the same precursor molecule, prepro-VIP, and coexistence of the two peptides is, therefore, to be expected. Nerve fibers displaying PHI and VIP immunoreactivity occurred around blood vessels and follicles in the thyroid gland of several species. Sequential staining with antibodies against PHI and VIP revealed coexistence of the two peptides in the same population of nerve cell bodies in ganglia situated along the laryngeal nerves and in intrathyroid nerve fibers. Chemical sympathectomy (6-hydroxydopamine treatment), surgical sympathectomy (removal of the superior cervical ganglia), and unilateral cervical vagotomy (removal of the nodose ganglion) failed to affect the number and distribution of PHI/VIP fibers in the thyroid gland. Taken together, the findings suggest that both the perivascular and interfollicular PHI/VIP fibers originate in laryngeal ganglia. PHI weakly stimulated basal thyroid hormone secretion in mice in vivo, but did not influence the response to TSH or VIP. PHI had no effect on calcitonin secretion in rats. Like VIP, PHI may play a physiological role in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion.

The effects of glucagon and insulin on plasma thyroid hormone levels in fed and fasted domestic fowls

1. 1. Glucagon injection (50 μg kg −1) produced a biphasic response in plasma thyroxine (T 4) level in both fed and fasted chickens. An initial inhibition was followed by an increase to levels above control value. 2. 2. Glucagon reduced plasma triidothyronine (T 3) possibly as a consequence of inhibition of peripheral monodeiodination. This inhibition persisted in fasted animals despite a glucagon induced hyperglycaemia. 3. 3. Insulin injection (4 IU kg −1) decreased plasma T 4 concomitant with a profound hypoglycaemia. These effects were more pronounced in fasted birds. 4. 4. Insulin induced hypoglycaemia was associated with decreased plasma T 3 probably as a consequence of reduced thyroidal T 4 secretion and reduced peripheral monodeiodination. 5. 5. Glucagon and insulin may play direct or indirect roles in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion and metabolism in the domestic fowl.

Thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) and hormone secretion from the follicular and C-cells of perfused dog thyroid lobes.

Recently we found small amounts of TRH immunoreactivity in the thyroid gland of dogs and pigs. In the present study we investigated if exogenous TRH influences the release of T4, T3 and cAMP from the follicular cells, and calcitonin and somatostatin from the C-cells of perfused dog thyroid lobes. 10(-5) mol/l TRH inhibited the TSH induced iodothyronine and cAMP release from the thyroid while 10(-8) mol/l TRH had no effect. The relative proportions of T4 and T3 in thyroid secretion were not altered by TRH infusion. TRH did not influence the basal or the Ca++ induced release of somatostatin and calcitonin. Hence TRH has a direct inhibitory effect on the hormone secretion from thyroidal follicular cells. This opens the possibility that TRH in the thyroid participate in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion. Even though the concentration of TRH found to be effective is high our results may indicate that TRH in the thyroid participates in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion as an antagonist to TSH.

Calcium and Calmodulin in the Regulation of Thyroid Hormone Secretion

Conference Abstract| February 01 1984 Calcium and Calmodulin in the Regulation of Thyroid Hormone Secretion C. A. Ollis; C. A. Ollis 1Department of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Centre, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield S5 7AU Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar S. Tomlinson; S. Tomlinson 1Department of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Centre, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield S5 7AU Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar D. S. Munro D. S. Munro 1Department of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Centre, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield S5 7AU Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Clin Sci (Lond) (1984) 66 (2): 42P. https://doi.org/10.1042/cs066042Pa_pt2 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Cite Icon Cite Get Permissions Citation C. A. Ollis, S. Tomlinson, D. S. Munro; Calcium and Calmodulin in the Regulation of Thyroid Hormone Secretion. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 February 1984; 66 (2): 42P. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/cs066042Pa_pt2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll JournalsClinical Science Search Advanced Search This content is only available as a PDF. © 1984 The Biochemical Society and the Medical Research Society1984 Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.

Calcium and Calmodulin in the Regulation of Thyroid Hormone Secretion

Calcium and Calmodulin in the Regulation of Thyroid Hormone Secretion

Effects of β-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists on thyroid hormone secretion

The effects of various β-adrenoceptor agents on radioiodine release from the thyroid were studied in mice pretreated with 125I and thyroxine. The non-selective β-andrenoceptor agonist isopropylnoradrenaline and the selective β 2-adrenoceptor agonist terbutaline both, and with the same efficacy, enhanced radioiodine release, whereas the selective β 1-adrenoceptor agonist prenalterol had no such effect. The non-selective β-adrenoceptor antagonist l-propranolol and the selective β 2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118,551 both abolished the radioiodine release induced by isopropylnoradrenaline or by terbutaline. The selective β 1-adrenoceptor antagonist metoprolol inhibited the radioiodine response to isopropylnoradrenaline, but not that to terbutaline. Neither of the β-adrenoceptor antagonists influenced the radioiodine release induced by TSH. It is concluded that the β-adrenoceptors involved in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion are mainly of the β 2-subtype, and, further, that β-adrenoceptor agonists and TSH exert their thyroid hormone secretory effects through different mechanisms.

VIP occurs in intrathyroidal nerves and stimulates thyroid hormone secretion.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is known to have powerful effects on the secretion from several endocrine and exocrine glands, and occurs in nerves with a ubiquitous distribution in the body. This infers that neuronal VIP may be a regulator of such secretion, and there is evidence that it is involved in the regulation of exocrine pancreatic function. Previous studies have shown that adrenergic and cholinergic nerves participate in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion. We describe here combined immunohistochemical and immunochemical studies which show that the thyroid of several species is supplied with VIP-containing nerve fibres that surround blood vessels and run between and along thyroid follicles and that in the mouse neuronal VIP participates in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion through a mechanism that is mediated by cyclic AMP.

Effect of 24‐Hour Somatostatin Infusion on Glucose Homeostasis and on the Levels of Somatomedin A and Pancreatic and Thyroid Hormones in Man

In order to investigate whether somatostatin plays a role in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion we have compared the effects of a prolonged somatostatin infusion on insulin and glucagon levels, on the one hand, with its effect on T4, T3, rT3 and TSH, on the other. Furthermore, the serum levels of somatomedin A were determined. Saline was infused in control experiments. Cyclic somatostatin was given as an i.v. bolus of 200 micrograms followed by a constant rate infusion of 50 micrograms/h during 24 hours. Somatostatin suppressed basal insulin and glucagon levels as well as insulin responses to meals but did not influence somatomedin A levels. T4 and T3 decreased during the first hour, whether somatostatin was given or not. Thereafter, T4 and T3 remained stable in the control experiments, while they continued to decrease slowly when somatostatin was added. The suppressive effect of somatostatin was significant 11 hours (p less than 0.05) and 24 hours (p less than 0.005) after the onset of the infusion. In contrast, rT3 and TSH were not suppressed by somatostatin. The fact that basal TSH did not decrease, favors the idea that the suppression of T4 and T3 was mainly due to a direct inhibitory effect of somatostatin on the thyroid gland. Our observation that a low dose of somatostatin decreases peripheral T4 and T3 levels supports the idea that somatostatin plays a role in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion.

INHIBITION BY SOMATOSTATIN OF MOUSE THYROID ACTIVITY FOLLOWING STIMULATION BY THYROTROPHIN, ISOPRENALINE AND DIBUTYRYL CYCLIC-AMP

The recent discovery of somatostatin-containing cells within the thyroid gland infers that somatostatin may influence thyroid activity. This possibility was investigated by measurements of radio-iodine release in mice pre-treated with 125I and T4. The animals were treated with TSH, isoprenaline or dibutyryl-cyclic AMP with and without concomitant injection of somatostatin. It was found that somatostatin reduced the blood 125I increase in response to each of the three thyroid-stimulating agents. The elimination rates of 125I-labelled T4 and T3 were unaffected by somatostatin. The observations suggests that somatostatin may participate in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion, by an inhibitory effect exerted within the thyroid gland.

Sympathetic innervation of the mouse thyroid and its significance in thyroid hormone secretion.

Studies were performed in mice to investigate the sympathetic innervation of the thyroid and to evaluate its role in the regulation of thyroid hormone secretion. Fluorescence histochemistry and electron microscopic autoradiography were used to study the distribution of adrenergic fibers and terminals in the thyroid and their relation to follicle cells and vessels. Bilateral surgical sympathectomy was performed by extirpation of the superior cervical ganglia, and pharmacological sympathectomy by iv injections of 6-hydroxydopamine. The secretion of thyroid hormone was estimated by daily measurements of the blood radioiodine (BRI) levels. Sympathetic, adrenergic nerve fibers were numerous in the mouse thyroid, and were mainly found in 2 locations: in relation to arterioles, and in interfollicular spaces. The terminals of the latter group had a very close relation to follicles and often were in direct contact with them, only the follicular basement membrane separating the adrenergic terminal and the follicle cell. In addition, interfollicular terminals often had a close relation to capillaries. It is concluded that in mice there is a morphological basis for a direct, nonvascular influence of the sympathetic nervous system on thyroid follicle cells. In addition, sympathetic stimuli may influence thyroid blood flow by effects on both arterioles and capillaries. Both pharmacological and surgical sympathectomy elicited a reduction in BRI levels that persisted for 1 or 2 days, presumably as a reflection of decreased thyroid hormone secretion. In view of this finding, and since a previous study has shown that unilateral sympathetic stimulation causes a large increase in BRI levels, preceded by formation of colloid droplets in the portions of the thyroid supplied by the stimulated nerve, it is suggested that the sympathetic innervation of the thyroid serves as a means for effecting prompt, short-term alterations in the rate of thyroid hormone secretion. (Endocrinology94: 959, 1974)