In vitro sulfation of orbital tissues of the guinea pig. II. Relationship to endocrine exophthalmos.

.he incorporation of S-35-labeled sulfate by slices of conjunctiva and ventral lacrymal and Harderian glands of the guinea pig was studied in an in vitro system. Sulfation of these tissues, particularly of the Harderian gland, resembled an enzymatic reaction in its temperature and pH characteristics and its dependence upon the viability of the tissues. Thyrotrophic hormone (TSH) added to the incubation medium decreased sulfation of these tissues, especially that of the Harderian gland. Sera of patients with endocrine exophthalmos reduced the in vitro sulfation of the retroorbital tissues of the guinea pig. In the present study, this effect on the in vitro sulfation of the Harderian gland of