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Radioactive Iodine-induced hypothyroidism interferes with the maturation of reproductive organs during puberty in immature female rats

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Abstract

Animal and human studies suggest that thyroid hormone may have critical roles in the development of the ovary. For example, thyroid deficiency disrupts the ovarian microarchitecture and menstrual cycle in neonate and adult women, respectively. Therefore, it is conceivable that thyroid deficiency might disrupt sexual maturation during the peri-pubertal period. To investigate the impact of radioactive iodine-induced thyroid deficiency on reproductive organs throughout puberty, immature female rats were given water containing radioactive iodine (0.37 MBq/g body weight) twice, on postnatal days 22 and 29. Radioactive iodine-induced hypothyroidism was revealed by low free thyroxin levels. Thyroid deficiency delayed the onset of vaginal opening, reduced ovarian weight and the number of medium-sized follicles and led to elongated uteri. However, there was no effect on the estrous cycle or absolute uterus weight. We conclude that radioactive iodine-induced thyroid deficiency delays sexual maturation and alters normal ovarian growth in peri-pubertal rats.

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Acknowledgements

JK and KYR participated in data analysis, experimental work and development of the manuscript, and JR participated in the design of the study, data analysis, and supervision. JR takes responsibility for the integrity of the data analysis. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by the research fund of Hanyang University (HY-2017).

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Author notes

  1. Jihyun Keum and Ki-Young Ryu contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea

    Jihyun Keum

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Guri, 11923, Republic of Korea

    Ki-Young Ryu

  3. Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea

    Jaesook Roh

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  1. Jihyun Keum
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Keum, J., Ryu, KY. & Roh, J. Radioactive Iodine-induced hypothyroidism interferes with the maturation of reproductive organs during puberty in immature female rats. Toxicol Res. 39, 53–60 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43188-022-00147-z

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