Desensitization or decreased response to the same (homologous) or other stimuli (heterologous) is a well known process. Homologous desensitization to TSH has been demonstrated in normal thyroid tissue. Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) transfected with normal human TSH receptor (hTSHR) DNA, in contrast, have been reported not to desensitize. The purpose of our investigation was to determine whether CHO cells transfected with hTSHR desensitize in response to TSH and postreceptor stimulation. CHO cells were stably transfected with plasmid DNA containing hTSHR; nontransfected CHO cells served as the control. TSH (10 mU/ml), 5'-beta,gamma-imido-triphosphate [Gpp(NH)p; 0.1 mM], sodium fluoride (NaF; 10 mM), forskolin (10 microM), and (Bu)2cAMP (100 microM) were used to determine whether homologous or postreceptor heterologous desensitization of adenylate cyclase activity occurred in CHO-transfected cells. Intracellular cAMP accumulation was determined by RIA. Cells were incubated with TSH (to stimulate TSH receptor), Gpp(NH)p, NaF (to stimulate G-protein), forskolin (to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity), and (Bu)2cAMP (nonmetabolized cAMP analog). A second incubation was carried out with TSH (10 mU/ml). Maximal desensitization to either TSH or postreceptor stimulation was observed at 2 h. When transfected CHO cells were preexposed to TSH (10 mU/ml) for 4 h, even the smallest dose of TSH (0.001 mU/ml) caused desensitization. All substances that increased the intracellular cAMP concentration, such as TSH, Gpp(NH)p, NaF, forskolin, and (Bu)2cAMP, caused desensitization. The decrease in the cAMP response to TSH added in the second incubation was 63% less than the initial response to TSH or to postreceptor stimulation (P = 0.0001). In conclusion, desensitization of hTSHR-transfected CHO cells occurs in response to both receptor and postreceptor stimulation that increase cAMP levels. Because hTSHR transfected CHO cells desensitize, no specific thyroid factor(s) other than increased levels of cAMP is required.