MORPHOLOGIC STUDIES OF THERAPEUTICALLY ABORTED FETUS THYROID IN AN ENDEMIC GOITER REGION OF GUIZHOU PROVINCE

<正> In 30 therapeutically aborted fetuses at the intrauterine ages of the fourth to eighth month from an endemic goiter region, the thyroid gland was examined morphologically. Fetal and maternal serum T3, T4 and TSH were assayed. The results were compared with the data of 20 other therapeutically aborted fetuses of the same intrauterine ages from a nonendemic region. 13 fetal goiter cases from the endemic region group were studied. The thyroids were markedly increased in weight and size and showed the following histologic features: Follicular hyperplasia with high cuboidal or columnar epithelialining acini containing little or no colloid; cellular hyperplasia with formation of solid cellmasses; prominent hyperemia of perifollicular capillaries and presence of foci of enlarged follicles distended with colloid. Enlargement of the thyroid gland occurred early in fetal life. The cause of fetal goiter in this series was presumably iodine deficiency, as was true for endemicgoiter in the same region. The morphogenesis of fetal goiter was presumed to be similar to that of acquired iodine deficiency goiter. Changes of the thyroid gland are apparently the result of increased serum TSH, a feedback stimulation of decreased serum T3 concentration. The fact that the serum TSH was markedly elevated and T4 decreased in the goitrous fectuses of this series strongly supports this hypothesis.