The efficacy of iodinated ethyl esters of safflower seed oil (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in the control of iodine deficiency in sheep

Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid gland hormones (T-3 and T-4), necessary for mammalian life. Iodine deficiency leads to inadequate thyroid hormone production, and all the consequences of iodine deficiency stem from the associated hypothyroidism. Iodized oil is made by treating a fatty vegetable oil with iodine or hydriodic acid and is an effective long-term means of iodine supplementation. The type and fatty acids profile in the parent oil, as well as the way iodine is trapped, affect the physicochemical properties and effectiveness of the product. This research was conducted to study the effect of iodinated safflower oil on preventing iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in livestock, compared with a commercial iodine supplement. Iodinated fatty acid ethyl esters prepared from safflower seed oil (IFAEE(SSO)). Thirty Farahani ewes with a history of iodine deficiency were divided into three groups, including control and two treatment groups. The treatment groups received 390 mg of iodine by an intramuscular injection of 1.26 ml of IFAEE(SSO) (n = 10) or 1.5 ml of Depodine (R) (n = 10), respectively. Serum iodine, thyrotropin stimulating hormone (TSH), T-3 and T-4 concentrations were assayed at baseline and every 30-day intervals over six months period. Iodine supplementation resulted in a significant increase in serum inorganic iodine over five months with Depodine and IFAEE(SSO) (P < 0.01). Serum T-3 and T-4 concentrations also increased in treatment groups (P < 0.01), while the concentration of TSH didn't change. The mean T-4 and T-3 concentrations were 3.16 mu g /dl and 53.89 ng /dl in the control group, which increased to 3.50 mu g /dl and 58.88 ng/dl for Depodine and 3.88 mu g /dl and 63.55 ng/dl for IFAEE(SSO), respectively. The serum inorganic iodine and thyroid hormone concentrations were significantly higher in the IFAEE(SSO) group than in the Depodine group (P < 0.01). IFAEE(SSO) is an effective supplement against IDD and more efficient than that of Depodine to increase serum iodine concentration, and thyroid hormone production.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the effect of iodinated safflower oil on preventing iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in livestock, compared with a commercial iodine supplement. The results showed that iodinated safflower oil is an effective supplement against IDD, increasing serum iodine and thyroid hormone concentrations.