Effect of sodium bromide on endocrine parameters in the rat as studied by immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay

Male rats were fed a normal or sodium bromide-enriched diet for 4 or 12 weeks. Sodium bromide concentrations were 0, 20, 75, 300, 1200 and 19,200 mg/kg diet. At the end of the experiments the pituitary gland, thyroid and testes were examined by histopathological and immunocytochemical techniques, while serum hormone levels were established by radioimmunoassay. Histopathological examination revealed an activation of the thyroid and a decreased spermatogenesis in the testes in the highest dose group. Using immunocytochemical techniques a decrease was noted in the amount of thyroxine in the thyroid. No effect was found in growth hormone-producing cells in the pituitary gland, while immunoreactivity for thyroid-stimulating hormone and for adrenocorticotropic hormone was increased. The concentration of thyroxine, testosterone and corticosterone in the serum appeared to be decreased. Due to feedback regulation, the pituitary gland was stimulated to produce and release thyroid-stimulating hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone and insulin, whereas the release of growth hormone was suppressed. Most of these changes were restricted to rats on the highest treatment level. It is concluded that sodium bromide, at least in high doses, directly disturbs the function of the thyroid, testes and adrenals.