Authors : A.G. Ramin, G.H. Jalilzadeh, S. Asri-Rezaei, S. Kabodi and S. Ramin
Abstract: Based on genetic factors, trace minerals are essential for thyroid function and hormone metabolism. For this purpose, serum levels of thyroid hormones and some blood micronutrient concentrations in lambs were determined, compared and their relationships were investigated. The 176 lambs including 70 males under 2 months old and 106 females aged 2-8 months were selected from Ghezel and Makui breeds. The 5 mL Jugular blood was prepared and the sera were evaluated for the concentrations of T3, T4, TSH, copper (Cu), iron and zinc. Thyroid hormones were determined by ELISA and trace minerals by autoanalyzer method. Mean T3 and TSH in males were higher than in females and T4 in females were higher than in males but only TSH was significant (p<0.01). The mean serum concentrations of Cu, iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in males were lower than in females in that only Cu and Zn were significant (p<0.01) and iron was not different. TSH in males was 36.3% higher than in females, Cu and Zn in females were 12.6% and 7.3% higher than in males, respectively. The T3:T4 ratio was higher in males than in females and for overall samples the T3:T4 ratio was low. There were significant negative relationships between T3/TSH (r = -0.36) and T4/Cu (r = -0.24) in males but not in females. There was a significant negative relationship between TSH/T3 (r = -0.16) for all lambs. Significant positive relationships were found between Cu/Zn (r = 0.38) and Fe/Zn (r = 0.44) in males, females and for overall (p<0.01).
A.G. Ramin, G.H. Jalilzadeh, S. Asri-Rezaei, S. Kabodi and S. Ramin, 2022. Effect of Serum Trace Minerals on the Metabolism of Thyroid Hormones in Male and Female Lambs. Agricultural Journal, 17: 1-8.