Figure 7. Microphotographs of the thyroid gland of female rats and BMD analysis of follicle depletion.

Decrease of follicle contents is illustrated by comparing samples from controls (A) and 300 mg/kg bw (B). BMD analysis of follicle depletion (measured as the estimated area with large follicles on representative sections at low power magnification) indicated that this effect was dose-dependent (C). Small circles indicate individual samples, large circles group means; the vertical dotted line indicates the dose (CED) with 5% decrease (CES -0.05) compared to background (a parameter). The thyroid glands also showed follicle epithelium hypertrophy as illustrated by comparing 10 (D) and 300 mg/kg bw (E). Epithelium cell height is indicated by bars at basal and apical cell borders.