Abstract
Thyroid function was measured in 60 day-old male rats fed one of the following diets at the 10% protein level: water-extracted rapeseed meal (DRSM) that contained 0.2% of the goitrogen VTO; untreated rapeseed meal (RSM) containing 5,5% VTO and a casein control diet. Plasma levels of TSH, T3 and T4 were measured after 10, 30 and 60 days when groups of animals were killed and their thyroid was dissected, weighed and processed for histologic studies. Weights of the gland of animals fed DRSM was always normal, with mild histologic signs of stimulation. Plasma T4 levels were also normal, RSM increased gland weight and induced histologic changes suggestive of strong stimulation. T4 levels was decreased at all time intervals. Animals fed DRSM and RSM showed an increase of T3 on day 30. Values were normal on day 60. There is no clear explanation for this observation. Plasma TSH was always normal in all animals. The expected increase of TSH in RSM-fed animals was not detected. The normalcy of plasma T4 and thyroid weight and histology in animals fed DRSM further supports previous evidence about the possibilities of using it in animal husbandry in concentrations higher than those used hereto. It may even have applications in human diets.
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Ballester, D., Muzzo, S. & Brunser, O. 33 THYROID FUNCTION IN RATS FED WATER-DETOXIFIED RAPESEED (Brassica napus) MEAL. Pediatr Res 15, 181 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198102000-00053
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198102000-00053