Am. Soc. Anim. Prod.
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Am. Soc. Anim. Prod. 1940:112-116
© 1940 American Society of Animal Science
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The Effect of Partial Thyroidectomy on the Fattening of Steers

A Preliminary Report

Frederick N. Andrews and John F. Bullard*

Purdue Agricultural Experiment Station

Abstract

The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland composed of two lobes connected by an isthmus, and is located on the anterior and lateral surfaces of the larynx and trachea. It is not within the scope of this paper to review the many and complex functions of the thyroid, but there is general agreement that among its chief functions are the regulation of the rate of general body metabolism, and of the rate of tissue differentiation.

Excessive thyroid activity is usually characterised by nervous instability, increased metabolic rate, loss of weight, and disturbances of the cardiovascular and gastro-intestinal systems. Underactivity of the thyroid gland is usually recognized by decreased metabolic rate, overweight, decreased mental activity and, in young animals, retarded growth.

The differences in type, temperament, and performance of dairy and beef cattle would tend to indicate that dairy cattle have more active thyroid glands than do beef cattle. Krupski (1921) reported that the relative weights of dairy cattle thyroids were greater than those of beef cattle, and Krizenecky (1932) observed that the average weights of dairy and beef cattle thyroid glands were 32.5 and 24.4 grams respectively (as reported by Ralston et al (1940).

Footnotes

* The authors wish to express their appreciation to Professor F. G. King for his cooperation in this study and to Mr. D. A. Calvert for his conscientious care of the steers.






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Copyright © 1940 by the American Society of Animal Science.