Intensity of In Vitro Incorporation of 3H-Melatonin in the Thyroid Gland of Rabbits with Pineal Gland Hypofunction

The structure and hormonal activity of the thyroid gland and its capacity to bind 3 H-melatonin were studied in young adult Chinchilla rabbits with pineal gland hypofunction induced by 2-month exposure to constant illumination. After 2 months of constant exposure to light, the experimental animals exhibited signs of the so-called “latent hypothyroidism” and more intense binding of 3 H-melatonin by the thyroid gland. This fact indicated intactness of its receptor system underlying the possibility of restoring activity of the thyroid gland under conditions of melatonin replacement therapy in hypothyroidism induced by chronic melatonin insufficiency.