THE EFFECT OF DIETARY FAT AND PROTEIN LEVELS UPON THYROID ACTIVITY IN THE CHICK

Abstract

The effects on thyroid activity of dietary protein level and of dietary fat level were studied. Diets containing 18 and 26% of protein were fed with and without 8% of supplementary fat. Thyroid weights and thyroidal uptake of I131 of chicks fed the diets were determined. The chicks fed the higher dietary protein level had consistently greater thyroid weights. The effect of supplementary fat on thyroid weight was variable. Total thyroidal uptake of I131 in chicks fed the fat-supplemented diets was greater when the diets contained 26% of protein. With the low-fat diets, protein level did not significantly affect uptake of I131. Supplementary fat decreased I131 uptake in chicks fed the low-protein diet and increased I131 uptake in chicks fed the high-protein diet. Thus, although it is evident that diet affects thyroid activity, conclusions regarding the effect of diet will depend upon the parameter used as a measure of thyroid activity.