TSH-stimulated electrical excitation in thyroid cells.

This report demonstrates TSH-stimulated electrical excitation in cultured porcine thyroid cells. TSH depolarizes the thyroid cell membrane potentials and causes the appearance of action potentials, which occur in a burst. The burst is preceded by depolarization and after the burst, during which usually 2 spikes are seen, a repolarization occurs. This TSH-induced electrical excitation is associated with iodide discharge.