Effect of hyperthyroidism on haemopoietic stem cell kinetics in mice.

Changes in the pool of haemopoietic colony-forming units (CFUs) of bone marrow and spleen were studied in experiments with mice fed dried thyroid gland (TH) for 21 days, and during the 13 days that followed feeding. After HU treatment, the number of CFUs in DNA synthesis was estimated. As early as the second day of TH treatment, the pool of CFUs is gradually increased, leading to an increase in the total number of splenic and bone marrow CFUs persisting after TH treatment for the period examined. Simultaneously, the numbers of nucleated cells in the bone marrow and spleen are increased. During TH feeding and following its termination, the total number of erythrocytes and the haematocrit values did not change significantly, whereas an increased number of leucocytes was observed in the peripheral blood after TH treatment. Elevation of the proliferative activity of CFUs occurred early in the period of TH treatment, with the maximum attained by end of the first week of TH feeding. This suggests a rapid response of the haemopoietic stem cell compartment to the administration of TH hormones. The participation of humoral factors controlling CFUs compartments in the mechanism of the stimulatory effect of TH hormones on haemopoietic stem cells is discussed.