THE FETOMATERNAL THYROID-FUNCTION INTERRELATIONSHIPS IN AN IODINE-DEFICIENT REGION IN AFRICA - THE ROLE OF T(3) IN POSSIBLE FETAL DEFENSE

The thyroid status was investigated in 26 pregnant African women at term delivery in an iodine-deficient region (Jengere) of Nigeria, West Africa including the measurement of serum T4, T3, TSH, thyroxine binding capacity, TBG, free thyroxine index (FT4I) and the results were matched with those obtained in a corresponding group of 46 women at delivery in Jos, the non-iodine-deficient region which was used as a control. Corresponding cord-blood samples were obtained from all the neonates of the two groups. Twenty-three urinary samples in the former and 14 in the latter group were analysed for iodide levels to ascertain the degree of iodine deficiency. The results demonstrate that compared to the values seen in the Jos group the maternal serum T4, T3 and FT4I levels were significantly reduced in the iodine-deficient group, while TSH, TBG and thyroxine binding capacity were elevated. Cord serum samples showed a corresponding fall in T4 and FT4I levels in the group from the iodine-deficient region, while the T3 levels were significantly elevated with a concurrent significant rise in TSH and TBG levels. Significant correlations were found between the maternal and cord serum T4, TSH, TBG, thyroxine binding capacity and FT4I levels, but not T3. From these findings we suggest that fetal T3 plays an important defensive role against the danger of long-standing environmental iodine deficiency.