IODINE DEFICIENCY

Dr. Vivek Kr. Singh

Assistant Professor

Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex

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UNIT-3

• Most specific clinical manifestation of iodine deficiency is abnormal enlargement of thyroid glands

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• Known as Goitre

Etiology

• Primary Iodine deficiency due to inadequate intake of iodine/ iodine deficient diet
• Secondary iodine deficiency is due to other factors interfering in the bio-availability and utilization of iodine
• Excessive intake of calcium
• Prolonged intake of feed containing cynogenetic glucosides like fodders and cakes of different Brassica sp. White clover and linseed cake
• Intake of mimosine containing plants

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Epidemiology

• Pockets of iodine-deficient areas are found in different parts of India
• Main cause of deficiency is heavy rain fall and depletion of soil iodine by leaching
• Giotre has been reported in Horses, cattle, goats and sheep

Pathogenesis

Iodine deficiency

Decreased synthesis and secretion of thyroxine

Stimulation of pituitary gland and secretion of thyrotropic hormone

Hyperplacia of thyroid gland

Goitre

Clinical findings

• Animals of all species are weak and lethegic
• Face is generally blunt and large
• Body coat rough
• Oedema of dependent organs like lower limbs
• Reduced milk yield
• Silent oestrus, abortion, stillbirth and birth of weak calf
• Sheep, goats and pigs show marked hairlessness

Diagnosis

• Clinical signs

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• Iodine status of serum or plasma

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• Value and ratio of T₃ and T₄

Treatment

• Oral administration of 280mg/ head potassium iodide to pregnant ewes can control iodine deficiency
• Lambs with goitre can be administered 20mg potassium iodide orally once
• Painting 5% tincture iodine on the flank once a week in milking dairy cattle can work well
• Intra ruminal boluses provide slow release of iodine for 6 months

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Thank You

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