Prevention of ovine congenital goitre using iodine-releasing intraruminal devices: preliminary results

Abstract

Pregnant ewes in a goitre-prone area of northern Tasmania were treated with an intraruminal device designed to release a regular quantity of iodine into the rumen. Compared with untreated controls the treatment greatly increased the iodine concentration of ewes' milk and reduced thyroid enlargement in newborn lambs as determined by palpation and histological scores, thyroid weights and thyroidlbody weight ratios.