The left thyroid lobe of Wistar rats were separated into three fragments and implanted on the sternumcleidomastoid muscle, mesentery and right ovary. The implanted tissues were removed after 10, 20and 30 days and examined histologically. For each time period of transplantation ten rats were used. After 30 days the remaing thyroid tissue was removed. The animais subsequently lived with the transplants only. To verify implant function, three thyroid fragments were implanted on the mesentery in group one. The levels of T3 T4 and TSH were measured in serum before and after the surgery. Histologic examination showed mild atrophy in the beginning which subsequently returned to normality. The best results of transplantation were obtained with the implant on the mesentery. There were low T3 and T4 levels and high TSH levels. 1n conclusion, the autotransplanted thyroid gland sustained its folicular architecture and its endocrinological function, in the studied period.
Thyroid; Thyroidectomy; Autotransplantation ofthyroid