Abstract
Three wild, female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) collected in Missaukee County, Michigan, during February and March 1979 had lower (P < 0.01) serum total thyroxine (T4), free T4 (FT4), and triiodothyronine (T3) levels, thyroid iodine (I) concentration, and body weights than 17 captive does fed a complete diet. Thyroid weight per metabolic body weight (body weight (kilograms)0.75) was greater (P < 0.01) in the wild deer. These data indicate malnutrition and incipient I deficiency in the wild deer.