The Influence of High Iodine Intake on Chosen Blood Parameters of Sheep

The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of high iodine intake in ewes on haematological and biochemical parameters of the blood of ewes and their lambs. Twelve pregnant ewes of the Sumava sheep breed and their newborn lambs were included in the experiment. Control group (A) consisted of 6 ewes with 7 lambs and experimental group (B) comprised 6 ewes with 6 lambs. The feed ration was enriched with calcium iodate by addition of 3 and 5 mg/kg in group A and group B, respectively. The studied parameters in ewes and lambs were haematocrit value, red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration in blood, concentration of urea and total proteins, and alkaline phosphatase activity in blood plasma. No differences were found out in haematocrit value, red blood cell count, concentration of haemoglobin and total proteins between groups of ewes A and B with their lambs. Urea concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity were higher in ewes of group B and their lambs during the entire experimental period. An increase in the values of urea and alkaline phosphatase in the group of ewes and lambs with higher iodine intake indicates a potential risk of high iodine intake associated with changes in the thyroid activity in ewes and their lambs.