An Effect of Thyroxin on the Fine Structure of the Rat Liver Cell

Abstract

WE have recently observed a striking change in the fine structure of the liver cells of rats given large doses of thyroxin. Wistar rats (Alderley Park strain 1) were given thyroxin in their diet at levels of 0.001 or 0.005 per cent. Control animals were given unmedicated diet. After one, two or three weeks on the diet, groups of three test and three control animals were killed, small fragments of liver were fixed in buffered 1 per cent osmium tetroxide, and processed through ‘Araldite’. Thin sections were cut and stained with lead citrate¹, and examined in the electron microscope.