Biphasic action of iodine in excess at different doses on ovary in adult rats

Iodine consumption in excess of its recommended levels over a prolonged period of time is well known to cause thyroid disorders. The thyroid hormones on the other hand are responsible in maintenance of the physiology of the reproductive system. Excess iodine intake affects male reproductive physiology. However, the effects of excess iodine on the ovarian structure and function is yet to be established. The present study has thus been undertaken to investigate the effect of excess iodine on the ovarian physiology. Excess iodine was administered through oral gavage in the form of potassium iodide (KI) for duration of 60 days, at two different doses. The doses used were 100 EI, i.e., 100 times more than the recommended level but tolerable to the thyroid gland and 500 EI, i.e., 500 times more than the recommended level that altered thyroid physiology. The animals were divided into three groups, one control group, and the other two receiving two separate doses (100 EI and 500 EI) of excess KI. Estrous cyclical changes, ovarian morphological changes, ovarian iodine accumulation and ovarian steroidogenic enzyme activities were analysed. The thyroid functional status was studied from the serum thyroid hormones levels. The overall results revealed a biphasic action of excess iodine that depends on its dose. At 100 EI, excess iodine did not alter thyroid physiology but lead to the development of a hypoestrogenic state. There was an increased accumulation of iodine in the ovary with decreased activity of ovarian steroidogenic enzymes and lowered serum estradiol levels. However, at 500 EI, excess iodine developed a hyperthyroid condition, which further leads to a hyperestrogenic state. There was an increased activity of serum steroidogenic enzymes as well as elevated serum estradiol levels. Fertility index was zero in both the 100 EI and 500 EI treated groups of experimental animals. Thus excess iodine (100 EI) ingestion within tolerable range though maintained a euthyroid condition yet developed a state of hypofunctioning ovary. Conversely, excessive iodine (500 EI) is intolerable to thyroid, develops a hyperthyroid condition that leads to a hyperfunctioning ovary. Therefore prolonged exposure of iodine in excess exerts biphasic mode of action depending on the dose in female reproductive physiology and both the doses used in this study affected fertility equally.