Results of supplementation with ethiodised oil in bovines.

Randhawa and Randhawa at the Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana have carried out a study evaluating the efficacy of ethiodised oil in combatting iodine deficiency in cross bred cows. Prior to starting therapy, the investigators, carried out a base-line survey of iodine status by measuring plasma inorganic iodine (PII) concentration in 48 crossbred cows from 31 dairy units. The investigators also compared concentrations of plasma triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), total cholesterol and free fatty acids between iodine deficient and normal cows. Randhawa and colleagues found the mean prevalence of iodine deficiency to be 35.9% and showed considerable geographical variation from 0 to 86% within Punjab. Quite surprisingly, the researchers report that in this study, the typical clinical signs of iodine deficiency were absent. In earlier studies, the prevalence of asymptomatic iodine deficiency in crossbred cows of Punjab has been reported. Besides, no significant difference was seen between basal plasma T3 and T4 concentrations with their ratio not differing between deficient and control cows. The investigators have noted that the activity of circulating T4 and T4:T3 ratio increased in response to1 mL of 78% ethiodised oil injection and persisted beyond 70 days after injection.

Reference for further reading:
Aust Vet J 2001 May;79(5):349-. Epidemiology and diagnosis of subclinical iodine deficiency in crossbred cattle of Punjab.Randhawa CS, Randhawa SS.Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India.