Low-iodine diet for the production of severe I deficiency in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus jacchus)

A low-iodine diet consisting of maize, peas (Pisum sativum), torula yeast, meat meal, maize oil and added vitamins, minerals and amino acids was given to eight pairs of adult, common cotton-eared marmosets (Callithrix jacchus jacchus). Eight control pairs were given the same diet to which potassium iodate was added. Both groups also received low-I apple and deionized water. The diet provided adequate nutrition, as confirmed by the maintenance of body-weight and good health. In the I-deficient marmosets the concentration of plasma thyroxine was decreased from 140.1 nmol/l to 22.4 nmol/l and thyroid-stimulating hormone increased significantly from 1.8 ng/ml to 9.0 ng/ml compared with control marmosets, thereby indicating severe I deficiency. Compared with newborn offspring from control marmosets, the thyroid glands from the I-deficient offspring showed an increase in weight, a decrease in I content and, on histological examination, hyperplasia, hypertrophy and a total absence of colloid material in the follicles.