[Endemic goiter in the La Kara region (Togo). Analysis of etiologic factors]. / Etude du goitre endémique dans la région de La Kara (Togo). Analyse des facteurs etiologiques.

Among 6,035 people living in 3 villages from the area of La Kara (Togo), 984 randomized subjects were investigated to evaluate goiter prevalence and related etiologic factors. Creatinine and thiocyanates (SCN-) were measured in urine, thyroid hormones and TSH in plasma. Iodine was evaluated in urine, water, salt, soil, millet and sorgho. The amount of cassava was evaluated in food. Mean goiter prevalence was 32%, reaching to 45.9% in one village; urinary iodine remained in a low range (27.2 +/- 2.18 micrograms/g creatinine in adults, 34.3 +/- 6.7 in children--m +/- SEM) independently of the presence of endemic goiter. Urinary SCN- was increased. Low iodine values were found in food, salt, soil and water which contained few mineral elements except flour which was increased in the samples collected in one of the 3 villages. Cretinism was absent, T4, T3, TSH remained in a normal range. This study confirms a high prevalence of endemic goiter in the area of La Kara with iodine deficiency, leading to an urgent iodine supplementation.

[Immunocytochemical characterization of neurosecretory systems producing mesotocin and vasotocin in the brain of several Lacertidae]. / Caractérisation immunocytochimique des systèmes neurosé-créteurs à mésotocine et à vasotocine dans l'encéphale de quelques Lacertidés.

Using immunofluorescent techniques vasotocin (VT) and mesotocin (MT) neurosecretory systems were identified in the brain of Lacertidae: one european species and of two south-algerian species. In the 3 species MT and VT was shown to be synthetized in specific neurons located in the anterior preoptic area (POA), the supraoptic (SON) and in the paraventricular (PVN) nuclei. The axons originating in SON and PVN were ending either in the external zone of the rostral median eminence (ME) near to the adenohypophysial portal vessels, or in the neural lobe. In Lacerta muralis the neurosecretory axons of the POA terminated in the vicinity of the vascular organ of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), while in the two desertic species several additional fibers extended more rostrally toward the olfactory peduncle (PO). A short exposure to cold (+ 4 degrees C) of some specimens of Lacerta muralis induced a differential response in the dorsal and ventral parts of the NPV, respectively. Whereas the dorsal part remained unchanged, the ventral part, instead appeared then of essentially composed of small neurons void of secretory granules. Cold exposure also led to a marked accumulation of both MT and VT in the internal zone of the ME, and of VT only, in the external ME zone. On the other hand, a conspicuous amount of MT appeared in adenohypophysial cells.