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25.03.2024

Iron – Fuel for the body

Iron is an important trace element for the body. As part of the heme group, iron contributes to transport of oxygen from the lungs to the cells, making it a key element in the body's energy metabolism.

Iron deficiency has a major impact on the performance and well-fare of animals. A pronounced deficiency is known as 'anemia', but there is also a form of iron deficiency in which animals do not show obvious signs of anaemia, and yet do not perform at their full potential.
Application Challenges Feed Plexomin

Fast-growing young animals are particularly susceptible to acute or subclinical anemia because their iron reserves at birth are very low and their mother's milk contains very little iron. For example, piglets require approximately 330 mg of iron to grow to 5 kg, but their body reserves are only about 50 mg and they receive approximately 21 mg of iron through milk during this period. This leads to a considerable supply deficit and thus anemia.

Conventional treatment systems, such as subcutaneous iron injections, are increasingly reaching their limits. Practical solutions are therefore urgently needed. Highly bioavailable, well tolerated sources of iron are currently being considered for applications in liquid as well in paste form.

Studies also show that sow management is helpful. For example, iron supplementation with organic iron glycinate in late gestating sows resulted in better iron reserves in the piglets compared to inorganic iron supplementation. Piglets from sows receiving iron glycinate were heavier and developed better.
Highly bioavailable iron sources such as Plexomin® Fe 22 (iron glycinate) are beneficial for optimal animal development and performance.

Reach out to our experts Yvonne Link or Maximilian Timpfler, Product Management Plexomin, for more details: Yvonne Link or Maximilian Timpfler.

Or visit the Plexomin product page >>        

Scientific sources of information are available on request.

 

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