Citation:

Beekhuijzen, M., S. Schneider, N. Barraclough, A. Hoberman, S. Lordi, M. Moxon, D. Perks, A. Piersma, AND S. Makris. The Urgency for Optimization and Harmonization of Thyroid Hormone Analyses and Their Interpretation in Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Studies. REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 30:126-130, (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2018.04.017

Impact/Purpose:

This is a short communication from the European Teratology Society (ETS) Thyroid Task Force, intended to inform the scientific community of challenges that have been identified in the assessment of thyroid hormone measurement in young rodents and recent activities that have been initiated to address these issues.

Description:

In recent years several OECD test guidelines have been updated and some will be updated shortly with the requirement to measure thyroid hormone levels in the blood of mammalian laboratory species. There is, however, an imperative need for clarification and guidance regarding the collection, assessment, and interpretation of thyroid hormone data for regulatory toxicology and risk assessment. Clarification and guidance is needed for 1) timing and methods of blood collection, 2) standardization and validation of the analytical methods, 3) triggers for additional measurements, 4) the need for T4 measurements in postnatal day (PND) 4 pups, and 5) the interpretation of changes in thyroid hormone levels regarding adversity. Discussions on these topics have already been initiated, and involve expert scientists from a number of international multisector organizations. This paper provides an overview of existing issues, current activities and recommendations for moving forward. 

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