Effect of Selenium and Iodine Supplementation on Growth Rate and on Thyroid and Somatotropic Function in Dairy Calves at Pasture

¹ Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

The effects of Se and I supplementation on growth rate and on thyroid and somatotropic function were examined for heifer calves from two herds fed pasture. Supplementation of calves with intraruminal Se pellets increased the basal plasma concentration of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine and reduced the basal plasma concentration of thyroxine for both herds. For one herd, supplementation with Se increased the triiodothyronine response to challenge with thyrotropin-releasing hormone, increased BW gain, and tended to increase the plasma concentration of IGF-I. The plasma concentration of growth hormone was unaffected by Se supplementation. Supplementation with I increased the response of thyroid hormones to thyrotropin-releasing hormone but did not increase BW gain. Interaction between Se and I treatment within the herds was not apparent for any outcome variable. These data suggest that the effects of Se deficiency in grazing calves may be mediated by alterations in thyroid hormone metabolism but apparently are not mediated through modulation of the peripheral concentration of growth hormone.

Key Words: selenium • iodine • thyroid hormones • growth

Submitted on November 23, 1994
Accepted on April 2, 1996