Clinical, haematological and biochemical studies in goitrous goats

Abstract

Non-descript clinically goitrous goats (12) were used to evaluate the ameliorative effects of oral iodine supplementation. The animals of group I (without iodine supplementation) remained dull, depressed, weak, stunted with lowered sex libido in males and birth of weak kids with low survivability in females. The thyroid enlargement remained persisted. Haematobiochemically these animals showed normocytic, normochromic anaemia, hypoproteinemia, hypoglycaemia and hyperchOlesterolemia. There was gradual reduction in thyroxine (T4) level and also in T4:T3 ratio. The iodine supplemented goats (group 2) showed improved health status, body weight gain, libido and birth of healthy kids and regression of thyroid size. The values of haematological and biochemical parameters in corresponding periods were significantly improved. It was concluded that most of the iodine deficiency disorders were reversed to nearly normal following iodine supplementation.