EN
The thyroids of 85 European bison, Bison bonasus (Linnaeus, 1758) collected from the selectively shot animals (43 males and 42 females) in the years 1982 - 1984 in the Białowieża and Borecka Forests, were examined. The animals were shot in winter at low temperatures: (Dec., and Jan. - March) as well as summer (June - Sept.). Their age ranged from 1 month to 25 years. The thyroid of calves shoved small differentiation in histological structure. Size of the follicles as well variability of their shape increases significantly in older animals, and large follicles are present in relatively great number in the very old bison. Characteristic histological signs of higher activity of the thyroid can be noticed in warm summer months as compared with low temperature winter months.