Comparative study of thyroid hormones in camels at different physiological stages and pathological conditions and treatment trial for congenital goiter

Hypothyroidism and iodine deficient disorders (IDD) are global problems affecting wide range of species. The camel is sensitive to iodine. This work was conducted to monitor thyroid hormones in group of camels at different physiological and pathological status. One hundred camels randomly selected were allocated into five groups including racing, late pregnant, lactating, aborted, and young calved. Four calves with congenital goiter (CCG) along with their mothers (MCCG) were also included. The affected calves were treated with two I/V doses of sodium iodide 1 week apart. T 4 was highest in healthy calves followed by racing camels, which were significantly different from the rest of groups that displayed comparable values except for MCCG. T 3 was highest in normal camel calves. The rest of groups illustrated comparable T 3 levels although values for racing camels were slightly higher. The CCG group appeared smaller, weaker, and less active than their normal counterparts. They displayed enlarged thyroids, sometimes accompanied with difficult breathing and snoring. These calves and dams depicted comparable but very low T 4 concentration; however, T 3 was low only in the affected calves. Mild normocytic normochromic anemia, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and elevated CK and LDH were evident in the CCG group. Sodium iodide injections significantly raised the thyroid hormones, reduced the thyroid size, and alleviated the adverse clinical signs. Monitoring of thyroid gland and hormones is necessary to avoid hypothyroidism. Iodine as feed supplements or boluses are recommended in affected herd especially during pregnancy, whereas iodine injections are indorsed for critical clinical cases.