SECRETION IN MILK AND TRANSPLACENTAL TRANSFER OF 2 IODIZED OILS, LIPIODOL UF(R) AND ORIODOL(R), IN RABBITS

Many countries in the world are inhabited by populations suf fering fr om iodine deficiency. These populations are affected by serious diseas es directly related to iodine deficiency. Iodized oil (Lipiodol UF(R) or Oriodol(R)) is routinely used orally or intramuscularly to treat th ese populations, including pregnant women. The experiments of the pres ent study in gravid or lactating rabbits show that there is transplace ntal transfer of iodine and secretion of iodine in milk after administ ration of iodized oil and consequently an accumulation of iodine in th e thyroid glands of the mother, the fetus and the neonate. The advanta ges of treating pregnant women with iodized oil in the populations con cerned is thus confirmed. The oral route can be substituted by the int ramuscular route.