Are studies of induced hypothyroidism adequate?
They provide good models for the study of the metabolic effects, participants said, but they are less than ideal for studying immunological effects. Studies on reproductive function need to be performed in dogs with spontaneously-occurring disease. Dr. Dodds commented on the need to work with breeders and design prospective studies using breeds predisposed to developing hypothyroidism, or families within a breed that have hypothyroidism in their line. • Additional discussion on hypothyroidism and fertility. Dr. Johnson defended the results of her study, but remarked that the relationship between hypothyroidism and reproductive problems in females remains to be critically evaluated. Most of the bitches she has evaluated are not hypothyroid and if they are, she believes their fertility problem is related to something else. In her experience, Dr. Henderson commented, many males that have received thyroid medication to improve their fertility remain sterile. • Thyroid supplementation and c
