Abstract
Simple SummaryIt is known that in early life, newborn lambs are prone to iron deficiency due to the type of placenta and low iron in milk. Hence, the influence of milk supplementation with iron in newborn lambs needs to be investigated. The objective of this study was to elucidate the effect of milk supplemented with organic iron on performance, blood hematology, iron metabolism parameters, together with biochemical and immunological parameters in suckling lambs. Our findings revealed that supplementation of milk with 25 mg/d organic iron could be used effectively as a feed supplement for improving weight gain, promoting health, as well as improving the oxidative status of suckling lambs retained at the plasma level.This study was conducted to investigate the effect of milk supplemented with organic iron on performance, blood hematology, iron metabolism parameters, biochemical and immunological parameters in suckling lambs. Thirty-six newborn Dalagh lambs were randomly divided into three groups with 12 replications. The control group was fed with milk without organic iron. The other two groups were fed milk supplemented with 25 and 50 mg/d organic iron, respectively. During the experiment, increased daily weight gain and total body weight were observed in the iron-supplemented groups. An increase in the levels of red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular concentration in iron supplemented groups was indicated. Consumption of organic iron caused a significant decrease in plasma copper concentration. Total antioxidant status level was lower, but levels of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were higher in iron supplemented groups. In organic iron supplemented groups, insulin and thyroid hormones levels were significantly increased, and glucose level was significantly decreased. In organic iron supplemented groups, alkaline phosphatase level significantly increased, and aminotransferase level significantly decreased. Overall, the use of organic iron in the milk improved the performance and health in suckling lambs, and since a lower level of supplementation is naturally preferable, supplementation of milk with 25 mg/d organic iron is recommended.
Highlights
Iron is a necessary trace element for the preservation of animal health and efficiency [1,2]
The presence of iron in the diet was found to be effective in increasing appetite, secretion of thyroid hormones, and glucose metabolism [4]
During the whole period and from 1 to 10, 11 to 21, and 21 to 30 days of age, higher daily weight gain and total body weight were observed in the iron-supplemented groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05)
Summary
Iron is a necessary trace element for the preservation of animal health and efficiency [1,2]. Supplementation of diet with iron increased hematological parameters and improved lamb growth [4]. The presence of iron in the diet was found to be effective in increasing appetite, secretion of thyroid hormones, and glucose metabolism [4]. It has been well established that changes in iron intake can influence copper metabolism in animals and consumption of iron reduced the plasma copper concentration via its antagonistic relationship with copper uptake [5]. Consumption of iron in the diet of newborn lambs reduced the concentration of calcium and phosphorus in plasma [6]. Additional iron intake in calves increased the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin concentrations [7]
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