A cephalometric study of vervet monkeys with induced hypothyroidism.

[摘要] Growth and development of the skull is influenced by metabolic factors such as the endocrinopathies. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of induced hypothyroidism on growth and development of the skull of the Vervet monkey. Seven infant monkeys of the subspecies Ceraop-ithecus aethiops cloetei were selected as the experimental animals in this study. Two of the seven monkeys were used as the control group, the remaining five monkeys were given radio-active iodine to depress their thyroid activity. Cephalometric records were taken of the animals for a period of approximately one year, at the end of which time they were sacrificed. At the age of 15 months the radiographs of the hypothyroidic monkeys, when compared to those of the control group, exhibit marked differences in cranial form. However, the most marked changes are seen in the cranial vaults of the experimental animals. Some of the findings are examined in the light of a number of theories which have been proposed for the control of the growth and development of the skull.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand