by Lam Kang Yau. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-143). / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / Abstract --- p.iv / List of abbreviations --- p.vi / Introduction --- p.1 / Literature review / Chapter A. --- Historical background --- p.6 / Chapter B. --- Histology on the epidermis of squamate reptile --- p.8 / Chapter C. --- The effects of thyroid hormone on the integument in the vertebrate --- p.13 / Chapter D. --- Extrathyroidal conversion of T4 to T3 --- p.18 / Experiment 1. The study of epidermal cellular changes and the effect of Tx on the sloughing cycle of Elaphe taeniura / Introduction --- p.21 / Materials and methods --- p.22 / Results --- p.26 / Discussion --- p.34 / Experiment 2. To study the extrathyroidal conversion of T4 to T3 (5'-D activities) of Elaphe taeniura / Introduction --- p.47 / Materials and methods --- p.48 / Results --- p.52 / Discussion --- p.54 / Experiment 3. The study of the effects of T3 and Tx on the sloughing cycle of Elaphe taeniura and in vitro 5'-deiodinating activities / Introduction --- p.56 / Materials and methods --- p.58 / Resul ts --- p.63 / Discussion --- p.81 / Experiment 4. The study of plasma T3 and T4 levels during the sloughing cycle of Elaphe taeniura / Introduction --- p.111 / Materials and methods --- p.112 / Results --- p.114 / Discussion --- p.115 / General discussion --- p.120 / Summary and conclusions --- p.125 / References --- p.127