Milk iodine concentration in cows treated orally or intramuscularly with a single dose of iodinated fatty acid esters

Abstract

The effect of a single oral dose of iodinated fatty acid esters (IFAE) on iodine levels in colostrum and milk of goats was tested. In experimental goats that received a single oral dose of IFAE before delivery, significantly higher iodine levels in milk were recorded 60 days after the delivery. In the following period since day 75 after the delivery iodine levels decreased, however, remained higher compared to the control, e.g. on day 152 the levels were twice as high as in the controls. Based on these results, the effect of a single oral and parenteral application of IFAE was tested on dairy cows. The results of the experiment showed that a single oral application of IFAE increases milk iodine levels for a shorter period. Intramuscular application resulted in a significantly higher milk iodine levels during the whole experimental period compared to both untreated controls and cows with oral application of IFAE.