Transmission and scanning electron microscopy of experimentally induced thyroid tumors in rats.

Irradiation of the neck region of 10 days old Wistar rats with 300 rads X-rays and their subsequent treatment with MTU leads to the development of thyroid tumors. The ultrastructure of the thyroid tumors induced was studied by transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In follicular carcinomas, cylindrical or high columnar cells with abundant microvilli, well-developed ergastoplasmic reticulum and a hypertrophied Golgi complex predominate.