Reevaluation of the Necessity of Iron Injection to Newborn Piglets

Abstract

The growth and immune responses to endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge (20 µg/kg) of piglets with and without a iron dextran injection (Fe, 200 mg/head) two days after birth are compared. Sixty-four newborn piglets from eight litters were allocated randomly to one of four treatments. The control received no iron dextran and only saline (Sal) injection on the second and fifteenth day after birth (Sal-Sal). The remaining three groups received Fe-Sal, Sal-LPS, Fe-LPS treatments respectively. On fifteen days of age, blood samples of piglets were taken at 0 h, 1 h, 2 h and 4 d after saline or LPS injection to determine immune functions and blood characteristics. The trial terminated when the pig reached 56 days and the average daily gain of piglets was then measured. Daily gain, serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration and red blood cell counts did not vary significantly among the four groups at any measuring times. Serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentration increased sharply 1 h after LPS injection. However, iron injection did not change TNF-α concentration responds to LPS injection. White blood cell counts of two LPS injection groups were significantly lowered 1 h following the injection. In contrast, serum lactoferrin concentration had increased significantly 1 and 2 h postinjection. Furthermore, iron injection produced no further effects on these two criteria. Iron injection increased the hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of piglets at any measuring time, and LPS injection lowered Hb concentration. In conclusion, a 200 mg/head of iron dextran injection on the second day after birth increased Hb concentration, had no detrimental effect on the immune responses and growth of piglets. Moreover, if creep feed (175 mg Fe/kg feed) is provided from d 7 after birth, the Fe-injection does not contribute to overall performance of piglets and may not be a necessity in practice.

Non-anemic Iron Deficiency from Birth to Weaning Does Not Impair Growth or Memory in Piglets

“…In our previous iron deficiency study in piglets, ID piglets did become clinically anemic and showed impaired growth (Antonides et al, 2015b ). Our study results complement the findings of Yu et al ( 2002 ) that early-life iron deficiency that does not lead to anemia does not affect growth.…”

“…Figure 2 suggests that control animals had slightly higher weights, yet this finding was not confirmed statistically. A study by Yu et al ( 2002 ) also showed no effects of an iron injection on growth performance in piglets. In their study, by offering creep feed, piglets did not become clinically anemic.…”

Pre-weaning dietary iron deficiency impairs spatial learning and memory in the cognitive holeboard task in piglets

“…In their study, Lipiñski et al showed that by administrating iron to piglets in two doses at day 3 and 10 instead of in one dose, toxicity can be reduced and iron uptake is improved. Moreover, Yu et al ( 2002 ) argue that a 200 mg iron dextran injection does not contribute to overall performance of piglets at 15 days of age when creep feed is provided from day 7 onward, and consequently may not be a necessity.…”

Parenteral iron administration in suckling piglets – a review

“…Therefore, the most common method of anaemia prevention is to inject 200 mg iron as iron dextran on the 3 rd day of life (Carlsson et al 1974;Yu et al 2002). The use of new genetic lines and changes in management techniques have raised concerns about the efficacy and safety of this method.…”