HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Parker, R. O. Articles by Young, B. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Parker, R. O. Articles by Young, B. A.

Postnatal Changes in Concentrations of Serum and Urinary Thyroxine and 3, 3', 5-Triiodothyronine in the Pig¹

University of Alberta^,5, Edmonton T6G 2E3

Abstract

Urine and serum obtained from piglets at birth (0 hr), 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 240 hr postpartum were assayed for thyroxine (T₄) and 3, 3', 5-triiodothyronine (T₃) concentrations. Urine was also quantified for total iodine. Piglet body weights and hematocrits were also recorded at each sampling time. Serum T₄ concentrations were higher (P<.05) at birth (0 hr) than at any other time. By 24 hr, serum T₄ decreased (P<.05) to a concentration similar to that observed at 240 hours. In contrast, serum T₃ concentrations were lowest (P<.01) at birth but doubled (P<.01) within 6 hours. At 12 and 24 hr, T₃ concentrations were lower (P<.05) than they were at 6 hours. By 48 and 72 hr, serum T₃ concentrations increased to values similar (P<.05) to those observed at 6 hr; they then decreased (P<.05) slightly by 240 hours. Urinary concentrations of T₄ and T₃ were lowest (P<.05) at birth and increased (P<.05) by 12 hours. Urinary T₄ concentration at 72 hr decreased (P<.05) to values observed at birth (0 hr), while T₃ concentrations at 72 hr remained similar to values observed at 12 hours. T₄ and T₃ concentrations at 72 hr remained similar to values observed at 12 hours. T₄ and T₃ iodine accounted for only .16 ± .025% of the total iodine in the urine. Hematocrits (PCV percentage) decreased (P<.01) during the first 24 hour of the pigs's life. High (P<.005) linear relationships existed among serum T₃, body weights and serum T₄.

¹ The research was supported by a grant from the Alberta Agricultural Research Trust.

² Div. of Anim. Sci., Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie 82071.

³ Rowett Research Institute, Greenburn Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, Scotland AB2 9SB.

⁴ The authors express their appreciation to Miss C. L. Schildwachter and Mr. B. V. Turner for their technical assistance and to Dr. R. T. Hardin for statistical analysis.

⁵ Dept. of Anim. Sci.