Seasonal variations of rat thyroid C cell population

Acta Biol Acad Sci Hung. 1978;29(4):367-73.

Abstract

With the aid of argyrophilic and metachromatic reactions male rats' thyroid C cells were investigated in spring and autumn. Autumn C cells were found to be more swollen and richer in granules and showed a more pronounced metachromasia and argyrophilia than spring C cells. The area occupied by C cells in the central part of the thyroid lobe was large in autumn and reduced in spring. A study into the proportions of C cell: follicular cell: colloid: stroma indicated a significantly higher number of C cells in autumn than in spring.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / ultrastructure
  • Rats / anatomy & histology*
  • Seasons*
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Thyroid Gland / cytology*
  • Vacuoles / ultrastructure