An investigation of the possible effects of subclinical iodine deficiency on ewe fertility and perinatal lamb mortality

Abstract

A controlled supplementation trial was performed in an assumed iodine-deficient Romney ewe flock in the Manawatu. Significantly more twin litters were born to iodine-supplemented ewes than to control ewes. Furthermore, the perinatal mortality rate in lambs born to iodine-supplemented dams was significantly lower than in lambs born to control dams. Ewe age and the use of different lambing paddocks for iodine-supplemented and control ewes may have been confounding factors. In both iodine-supplemented and control ewes, serum T₃ and T₄ concentration values remained above the currently used “normal” range throughout the trial period.