[Iodine metabolism. 2. Effect of iodine deficiency on reproduction and the development of progeny of goats and miniature pigs].

The influence of J-deficiency on reproduction was tested in model experiments with goats and mini pigs, partly through several reproduction cycles including the descendants after intra-uterine depletion as well. The effect of 0.05 mg J/kg dry matter in the concentrated feed (total ration 0.03)--0.04 mg J/kg dry matter) for goats was a diminished success of first inseminations, a higher frequency of abortions, high mortality and poorer development of the kids. All J-deficiency goats and kids suffered from hypertrophy of the thyroid gland, half of all J-deficiency kids were born hairless. Concerning the mini pigs, 0.06 mg J/kg dry matter even after intra-uterine depletion had no detectable influence either on conception or the mortality and development of the piglets. The thyroid gland of all deficiency pigs was enlarged, however. The hypertrophy of the thyroid gland makes it easy to diagnose J-deficiency visually.