Summary Immune functions were studied in male calves fed milk replacer (MR) containing 10 or 50 mg iron (Fe)/kg. Calves fed 10 mg Fe/kg MR developed marked hypoferremia and anemia, whereas serum‐Fe and haemoglobin concentration of calves fed 50 mg Fe/kg MR were normal. Growth performance was reduced, while feed/gain ratio, incidence of infections (especially pneumonias), febrile body temperatures and antibiotic treatments were higher in calves fed 10 than 50 mg Fe/kg MR (p<0.05). Whereas antibody production (to horse erythrocytes) and lymphocyte stimulation (by mitogens) were not significantly altered, cell‐mediated immunity (measured as cutaneous delayed‐type hypersensitivity reaction to dinitrofluoro‐benzene), number of neutrophils with phagocytic capacity, activity of the Fe‐containing enzyme myeloperoxidase, blood serum IgG concentration and the number and diameter of germinal centres as a measure of the number and production of B‐cells in cervical superficial lymphnodes in calves fed 10 mg Fe/kg MR were reduced when compared with calves fed 50 mg Fe/kg MR (p<0.05). In conclusion, severe Fe deficiency caused reduced growth performance, associated with and partly due to higher incidence of infections because of defective immune reactions.
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