Effect of Iodine-Deficient Diets and Goitrogenic Substances on the Weight Growth of Wistar Rats

The study investigated the effects of iodine-deficient and iodine-rich diets, as well as diets containing antithyroid substances, on the growth and behavior of 56 male Wistar rats over a period of 120 days. The rats were divided into 14 groups of 4, with various diets including simple iodine deficiency, iodine deficiency combined with undernutrition or thiocyanate, a diet containing Propylthiouracil (PTU), and others with cassava, millet, or supplemented with selenium. Results showed that, except for groups E (iodine deficiency + thiocyanate + undernutrition) and F (PTU), the rats generally adapted to their diets and exhibited positive weight growth. Some lethargy was observed in groups B, C, D, and E around the two-month mark, which resolved after one to two weeks. Alopecia was noted in some animals from groups B, C, D, E, F, and I after three weeks, but this also resolved after one month. The mortality rate was low at 2.5%, indicating good overall experimental conditions. Significant differences were observed in average daily gain (ADG) and feed intake levels among the groups.