THYROID-GLAND FUNCTION IN THE BELGRADE LABORATORY (B B) RAT/

The Belgrade laboratory (b/b) rat has a unique hereditary defect in ir on metabolism, that induces profound anemia and hypoxia. Serum thyroid hormone levels in anemic b/b rats and non-anemic controls (+/+) were investigated using radio-immunoassay (RIA). Hematologic parameters and erythropoietin (Epo) concentrations were also determined in the anemi c b/b and control rats. Our results confirmed the existence of severe anemia and extremely high Epo concentrations in the anemic b/b rats. T he results for serum thyroid hormone concentrations imply the existenc e of thyroid gland hypofunction in the b/b rats. These preliminary res ults points to the b/b rat anemic syndrome as a unique model, which is not only interesting for the hematologist, but also for the endocrino logist.