THE EFFECT OF THYROIDECTOMY AND OF CERTAIN DIETS ON PREGNANT SWINE AND THEIR OFFSPRING

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Abstract
Of 12 pregnant sows on a balanced diet (Series 1), 10 were thyroidectomized and 8 of these received desiccated thyroids for 30-120 days. The sows treated for 60 days or more following thyroidectomy were not affected. Of 8 pregnant sows on a low protein, high carbohydrate diet (Series 2), 4 were thyroidectomized; 2 of the thyroidectomized and 2 of the normal sows were given thyroid extract to term. The results showed that the symptoms of thyroid deficiency in pregnant sows were influenced by the diet. Thyroidectomized animals on a balanced diet revealed signs of myxedema whereas those on a high carbohydrate, low protein diet did not develop the edema of myxedema and were underweight (allowance being made for pregnancy) . The hair coat and thyroid gland of the offspring of thyroidectomized pregnant swine were not markedly different from the offspring of the control animals. The thyroid gland was not enlarged in offspring of thyroidectomized swine, although in each group there was considerable variation in the size of the glands.