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Serum Thyroxine Concentration in Sows Housed in a Subtropical Area^{1, 2,}

Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Taipei and and Pig Research Institute-Taiwan, Chunan

Abstract

Serum thyroxine (T₄) was determined in Landrace and Duroc-Jersey sows, to 3 years old, that were housed in a subtropical area. The range of average housing temperatures recorded was 9 to 31 C. The serum T₄ data, analyzed by protein-binding analyses (Murphy and Pattee, 1964), were not correlated with the age of the pigs. No difference in serum T₄ was observed between breeds; however, the serum T₄ of estrous groups was higher than that of diestrous groups. In sows of estrous groups, the serum T₄ did not significantly correlate with the housing temperature. In diestrous groups, the serum T₄ was significantly correlated with temperature in the range of 9 to 21 C, and a quadratic effect was observed in the range of 21 to 31 C. It appears that the hormonal status of estrous sows obscures the influence of temperature on their thyroid function.

¹ Supported by funds of the Pig Research Institute-Taiwan (Project No. BC/B/8).

² Instrumentation funds supported by the Chinese National Science Council.

³ Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan 115, Republic of China.

⁴ Pig Research Institute-Taiwan, Chunan, Republic of China.

⁵ The authors wish to express thanks for the assistance given by the Animal Industry Research Institute and Computer Center, Taiwan Sugar Corporation. Special thanks are due to Dr. H. P. Wu of Biometry Laboratory, Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica for his guidance on statistical analyses. Sincere appreciation is due to Dr. D. M. Schuurmans, Department of Public Health, State of Michigan. Dr. Paul Alexander, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan and Dr. E. P. Reineke, Department of Physiology, Michigan State University for their criticism on the manuscript.

⁶ Present address: Department of Animal and Range Science, Montana State University, Bozeman 59715