New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Effects of selenium and iodine supplementation on the growth rate, mohair production, and thyroid status of Angora goat kids

J. J. WICHTEL¹
K. G. THOMPSON²
A. L. CRAIGIE¹
N. B. WILLIAMSON¹

1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Massey University
Palmerston North, New Zealand

2Department of Veterinary Pathology and
Public Health
Massey University
Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract  The aim of this study was to examine the effect of supplementation with either selenium (Se) or iodine (I), or both, on growth rate, mohair production, and plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones in Angora goat kids. Kids were treated with 0 or 1 intraruminal Se pellet, or treated intramuscularly with iodised oil at doses of 0, 200, or 400 mg I in a 2 x 3 factorial design. The concentrations of Se and I in the lucerne diet were 0.02 and 0.09 mg/kg dry matter (DM), respectively. Supplementary Se enhanced (P < 0.05) liveweight gain by 26% during the final month of the study, however mohair growth was not affected by either treatment. The plasma concentration of total thyroxine was increased (P < 0.001) by I treatment but decreased (P < 0.001) by Se treatment. The plasma concentration of total triiodothyronine was reduced (P < 0.001) by I treatment but unaffected by Se treatment. Thus, Se supplementation improved the liveweight gain of Angora goats but I supplementation had no effect on growth. Both Se and I treatment altered thyroid hormone concentrations, but Se x I interactions were not significant.

Keywords  goats; selenium; iodine; mohair; thyroid hormones

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1996, Vol. 39: 111-115

0028-8233/96/3901-0111 $2.50/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1996

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (382K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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