Normal functions of the thyroid gland of the pygmy goat.
Normal values were obtained for blood serum PBI, T3 index. T4, and cholesterol in a colony of pygmy goats (n equal to 55) of mixed sex and age. Serum PBI values averaged 8.1 plus or minus 1.2 mug/dl with no significant sex differences. The mean T3 index and T4 value were 1.1 plus or minus 0.1 and 7.2 plus or minus 1.1 mug/dl, respectively, with no sex differences. The mean serum cholesterol value was 90.0 mg/dl, with sex differences apparent. Serum cholesterol averaged 84.9 mg/dl (n equal to 44) for females and was significantly higher in intact males (97.4 mg/dl; n=8) and significantly lower in castrate males 69.2; n=6. There was a consistent and significant increase in cholesterol values with age in females, an unexplained phenomenon also observed in humans. There was no evidence of thyroid malfunction in the animals studied.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002369:Castration; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D007455:Iodine / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011485:Protein Binding; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
D001798:Blood Proteins; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D007455:Iodine; D002784:Cholesterol; D013974:Thyroxine