Abstract
THE fact that the activity of the thyroid glands of all adult vertebrates serves as a powerful metabolic regulator is well established, yet the extent to which altered thyroidal activity in animals can be utilized by man for more efficient animal production remains very limited. Reviews of the literature applicable to poultry have been provided by Blaxter et al. (1949), Sykes et al. (1953), and Sturkie (1954). A further review of the general subject at this time seems unnecessary.Shaklee and Shaffner (1952) demonstrated that the degree of response of the thyroid gland to thiouracil feeding was amenable to selection. By use of the sib test it was possible to develop lines of New Hampshires differing markedly in this respect. These selection experiments were initiated on the assumption that the weight of the thyroid gland after a period of thiouracil feeding might provide some indication of the activity of the …
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