Effect of cultivation conditions on the functional activity of thyrocytes in the organ culture of the thyroid gland in newborn piglets

In new-born piglets' thyroid gland culture, thyrocytes were capable of synthesising thyroxine and triiodothyronine for over 12 days. A 48-hour decline of the medium pH to 6.45 did not affect further functional activity of the cells. Decrease in temperature to 26-28 degrees C augmented the thyroid hormones level as opposed to continuous cultivation at 37 degrees C. Degradation of the thyroid gland follicular structure induced a change in the hormones biosynthesis. The thyrocytes not arranged in the follicles mainly produced triiodothyronine in concentrations 5 to 8-fold higher than the T4 contents.