Developmental patterns of thyroid hormones and testosterone in ferrets.
Plasma levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were measured in male and female ferrets at regular intervals between postnatal day 20 and 150 as well as in adult animals. In addition, testosterone level in male ferrets was measured. All hormones showed characteristic developmental patterns. There is a T4 maximum prior to a T3 maximum in subadult animals which in both cases surpasses adult levels. Testosterone level shows a different developmental pattern. There is an outstanding peak in subadult males around day 60-80, which, however, is surpassed by adult levels during the mating season.
D000818:Animals; D002335:Carnivora / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D005289:Ferrets / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood*
D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013739:Testosterone; D013974:Thyroxine