A Study of the Relation of Dietary Fats to Action of Thyroid Extract in Rats

Abstract

A relation between dietary fats and thyroid activity has been reported by several investigators.^1-4 Jaffe 5 has reported interesting variations in the lipoid content of the thyroid in various diseases of the gland. Several reports have suggested the possibility that cod liver oil 1 or vitamins A and D in combination with iodine or iodized fat exert a favorable influence in Grave's disease. 6 ,⁷,⁸ These reports stimulated the author to test the effect of various oils including cod liver oil on rats rendered toxic by the administration of thyroid extract. The results are briefly reported here.

Methods. Both growing (3 months old and weighing from 100–110 gm.) and adult (150–195 gm.) rats were used in different groups of experiments. They were fed the standard Steenbock diet and kept in individual cages.