Download DETERMINATION OF THYROID HORMONE T3 AND T4 LEVELS IN

DETERMINATION OF THYROID HORMONE T3 AND T4 LEVELS IN
THROUGHBRED HORSES IN TRAINING WITH CLINICAL GOITER
Goic, Mariano1; Guerrero, Javier2; Goic, Nicolas2.
Introduction: The thyroid gland, through the secretion of hormones, plays a variety of
functions within the body related to energy metabolism and affects a number of other
organ systems. The present study examined the blood levels of thyroid hormones T3 and
T4 in Throughbred horses with clinical goiter who had received oral iodine
supplementation. Materials and methods: The present study used 30 horses, from 2 to
6 years of age, in training and clinically healthy, fed oats (6 kg), alfalfa hay (8 kg) and
wheat bran (2 kg) and supplemented with 10 g of a product based on iodine (2%) given
during one year as part of their usual feeding program of the training center located in
the mountain town of Pirque, Santiago. Blood was collected from in the morning before
its
training session and in fasting each horse for determination of the T3 and T4
hormones by chemiluminescence. Each lobe of the thyroid gland was measured by
ultrasound (Mindray brand, model DP 3330 vet, microconvexo, transducer frequency 5
to 8 mhz). Results and discussion: Values obtained for T3 and T4, respectively, in this
study were 80.13 ± 33.24 ng / dL.y 1.1 ± 0.34 ng / dL. The right lobe of the gland
measured on average 5.05 ± 0.4027 cm. and the left lobe 4.997 ± 0.585 cm. According
to Sisson (2000) the length of the thyroid gland was 3.73 ± 0.44 cm; in comparison, the
values obtained in this study would be slightly increased. The values of thyroid hormones
T3 and T4 were compared to those of a previous study in healthy horses. Normal size
thyroid horses showed no significant differences.
1 Veterinary clinician, Universidad Santo Tomas, Clinica Veterinaria Club Hipico de Santiago. Blanco
Encalada 2540, Santiago, Chile [email protected]
2 Veterinary clinician, Universidad Santo Tomas