Pituitary-thyroid function during acute immobilization stress in rats.

In nine experiments a total of 394 male Wistar rats weighing about 300 g was used. In each experiment, one intact control group was used and several other groups were subjected to immobilization (IMO) for 2 to 240 min in a prone position by inserting their heads through steel wire loops fixed on a board and by fasting their limbs to four metal strips by adhesive tape. All animals were killed by decapitation and the levels of thyrotropin (TSH), thyroxine (T4), 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) in plasma were estimated by radioimmunoassay. In one experiment, significant changes in the level of all hormones measured were found within 2 to 15 min of IMO, e.g. an increase of TSH, T4 and rT3 and a decrease of T3. Later (i.e. between 30 and 240 min) the level of TSH, T4 and T3 was repeatedly found to be significantly decreased almost in all experiments as compared to controls. In contrast, a significant increase of rT3 was found only in one out of 7 experiments, the values in other ones being unchanged. Corresponding changes of hormone levels were observed when IMO for 150 min was repeated daily for 7 or 40 days and the animals were sacrificed immediately after the last stress, while one day of rest after such procedures as well as after a single IMO for 150 min appeared to be sufficient for the levels to return to control values.