Abstract
Propylthiouracil (PTU)-fed and radiothyroidectomized (RT) chicks were used to study
the role of thyroid hormones in the effect of testosterone on plasma cholesterol level.
Results showed that testosterone had either no effect or it decreased plasma cholesterol
level in the control euthyroid chicks, but it significantly increased the plasma cholesterol
level both in the PTU-fed or RT hypothyroid chicks. The work suggests that the effect
of testosterone on cholesterol metabolism in the chick is mediated through the thyroid
gland.
Key words
Chicken - Propylthiouracil - Radiothyroidectomy - Hypothyroidism - Testosterone -
Hypercholesterolemia
1 This work was supported by USPHS grants HD-00204 and AM-01266.
2 Present address: Department of Pharmacology, State University of New York, Upstate
Medical Center, Syracuse, New York 132 10.
