<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><bold>Introduction:</bold> The thyroid and parathyroid glands play a major role in maintaining physiological homeostasis in all vertebrates. Reptiles have plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones far lower than mammals. Low levels of these hormones in reptiles impede thyroid hormone detection with assays designed for the higher levels of mammals. The aim of this study was to explore teaming this with ultrasound imaging of the thyroid to appraise glandular function. <bold>Material and Methods:</bold> Thyroid function of four pond sliders was evaluated based on the results of T4 analyses and ultrasound. <bold>Results:</bold> The concentrations of T4 varied considerably between the examined animals from &lt;9 nmol/L to >167.3 nmol/L. Ultrasound examination revealed uniform echogenicity and a smooth outline of the thyroid gland in all animals. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Monitoring of thyroid function based on T4 and electrolyte concentrations is helpful in assessing the health and living conditions of reptiles, which is important in veterinary practice but problematic. Ultrasound examinations are useful in diagnosing changes in gland structure, such as tumours and goitres, and a combination of both methods supports comprehensive assessments of the anatomy and function of the thyroid gland.</p></abstract>

Introduction: The thyroid and parathyroid glands play a major role in maintaining physiological homeostasis in all vertebrates. Reptiles have plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones far lower than mammals. Low levels of these hormones in reptiles impede thyroid hormone detection with assays designed for the higher levels of mammals. The aim of this study was to explore teaming this with ultrasound imaging of the thyroid to appraise glandular function. Material and Methods: Thyroid function of four pond sliders was evaluated based on the results of T4 analyses and ultrasound. Results: The concentrations of T4 varied considerably between the examined animals from <9 nmol/L to >167.3 nmol/L. Ultrasound examination revealed uniform echogenicity and a smooth outline of the thyroid gland in all animals. Conclusion: Monitoring of thyroid function based on T4 and electrolyte concentrations is helpful in assessing the health and living conditions of reptiles, which is important in veterinary practice but problematic. Ultrasound examinations are useful in diagnosing changes in gland structure, such as tumours and goitres, and a combination of both methods supports comprehensive assessments of the anatomy and function of the thyroid gland.

Applicability of thyroxine measurements and ultrasound imaging in evaluations of thyroid function in turtles

University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Journal of Veterinary Research

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Introduction: The thyroid and parathyroid glands play a major role in maintaining physiological homeostasis in all vertebrates. Reptiles have plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones far lower than mammals. Low levels of these hormones in reptiles impede thyroid hormone detection with assays designed for the higher levels of mammals. The aim of this study was to explore teaming this with ultrasound imaging of the thyroid to appraise glandular function. Material and Methods: Thyroid function of four pond sliders was evaluated based on the results of T4 analyses and ultrasound. Results: The concentrations of T4 varied considerably between the examined animals from 167.3 nmol/L. Ultrasound examination revealed uniform echogenicity and a smooth outline of the thyroid gland in all animals. Conclusion: Monitoring of thyroid function based on T4 and electrolyte concentrations is helpful in assessing the health and living conditions of reptiles, which is important in veterinary practice but problematic. Ultrasound examinations are useful in diagnosing changes in gland structure, such as tumours and goitres, and a combination of both methods supports comprehensive assessments of the anatomy and function of the thyroid gland.

Introduction: The thyroid and parathyroid glands play a major role in maintaining physiological homeostasis in all vertebrates. Reptiles have plasma...

Applicability of thyroxine measurements and ultrasound imaging in evaluations of thyroid function in turtles

Published Online: Jun 20, 2019

Page range: 267 - 273

Received: Jul 19, 2018

Accepted: Apr 08, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2019-0029

Keywords
reptiles, thyroid gland, ultrasound, tyroxine

© 2019 Joanna Pajdak-Czaus et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Applicability of thyroxine measurements and ultrasound imaging in evaluations of thyroid function in turtles

Published Online: Jun 20, 2019

Page range: 267 - 273

Received: Jul 19, 2018

Accepted: Apr 08, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2019-0029

Keywordsreptiles, thyroid gland, ultrasound, tyroxine

© 2019 Joanna Pajdak-Czaus et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
reptiles, thyroid gland, ultrasound, tyroxine