Changes in iodine mapping in rat thyroid during the course of iodine deficiency: imaging and relative quantitation by analytical ion microscope.

The analytical ion microscope (AIM) makes possible imaging and relative quantitation of multiple stable or labeled elements on an even tissue section, according to their mass. The purpose of this work was to follow at the rat thyroid follicle level the changes in 127I mapping during low iodine diet (LID) in relation to the ability of thyroid to pick up radioiodine (129I) and to synthesize Tg from its precursor, 2H-labeled leucine. The overall picture of images and countings of 127I shows a progressive decrease of the luminal iodine concentration which on day 80 was 10-fold lower than that of control value. In control rat thyroid cell, concentration was 10-fold lower than that of follicular lumina and was unchanged until 35 days, but the size of the cytoplasmic compartment increased, suggesting a redistribution of iodine stores between thyroid cells and follicular lumina. 129I was always found in colloid as well as in cells at all stages. After 35 days of LID, cytoplasmic and luminal radioiodine concentrations decreased. In control rats, [2H]leucine was found mainly in the cells. During LID its localization was evidenced progressively in most of the lumina. The most striking fact was the presence up to 35 days of some large residual follicles with high 127I concentration and low 129I and 2H incorporation. These data demonstrate the follicular heterogeneity of thyroid response to progressive chronic TSH stimulation induced by LID.