[Animal modeling] - establishment of a mouse model of hypothyroidism

  Objective: To verify the success of modeling hypothyroidism in C57BL/6 and KM mice after total thyroidectomy using two different surgical methods, and to compare the differences in success rates among different surgical methods.

  Method: This study used C57BL/6 and KM mice for total thyroidectomy using ligation method (Procedure I) and hemostasis method (Procedure II), and recorded the detailed process of the operation. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect and compare the serum TT3, TT4, TSH levels, body weight, and cervical tissue hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining of mice before and after surgery to validate the model.

  The results showed that both surgical methods caused a decrease in serum TT3 and TT4 levels (P<0.05) and an increase in TSH levels (P<0.001) in the model groups of both genera. The survival rates of C57BL/6 mice in Group I and Group II after 28 days of surgery were 40% and 60%, respectively; KM mice: 50% and 40%. The postoperative weight of mice in both surgical groups was significantly higher than that in the sham surgery group. The results of HE staining and microscopic observation indicate that the cervical tissue of the two species of mice is thyroid tissue, and the posterior membrane of the thyroid is intact after isolation.

  Conclusion: Both surgical methods can cause hypothyroidism in mice of both genera, but it is necessary to be familiar with the anatomical relationship between the mouse thyroid and surrounding tissues, improve operational proficiency, prevent postoperative hypocalcemia and infection, and improve the survival rate of mice after modeling.