Investigations on iron bioavailability of different sources and supply levels in piglets

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the iron bioavailability of different sources and supply levels in piglets. In experiment 1, the influence of feeding an iron deficient basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with 28 ppm Fe either in form of Fe-chelate, crystalline Fe-glycinate, or Fe-sulphate on apparent iron digestibility and on blood parameters was determined. In experiment 2, a dose-response approach was used to determine the effects of supplementing an iron-deficient basal diet with 30, 60, or 90 ppm of Fe either in form of crystalline Fe-glycinate or Fe-sulphate on digestibility of Fe, growth and blood parameters. In experiment 1, comparison of iron sources revealed a tendency (0.05 < p < 0.1) for a higher Fe digestibility from Fe-glycinate (40.9%) compared with Fe-chelate (30.8%) or Fe-sulphate (30.7%). Fe-balance was higher (p < 0.05) for Fe-glycinate compared with Fe-sulphate but iron balance was similar for iron sulphate and iron chelate. Those results, however, were not reflected in data of blood parameters. In experiment 2, iron digestibility, blood parameters and performance were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by iron supply. Effects of iron source on digestibility of iron were lower than observed in the first experiment.     

Comparison effects of dietary iron dextran and bacterial‐iron supplementation on growth performance,fecal microbial flora,and blood profiles in sows and their litters

This study was conducted to compare effects of dietary administration of iron dextran and bacterial‐iron on growth performance, fecal microbial flora, and blood profiles in sows and their litters. A total of 20 multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allotted into two treatments: (i) ID (basal diet, piglets were injected with iron dextran); (ii) BR (basal diet + bacterial‐iron; bacterial‐iron was given to sows, piglets were not injected with iron dextran). There were five replicates per treatment with two sows per replicate. No differences were observed on sow and piglet growth performance, fecal microbial flora as well as sow blood profiles between ID and BR treatments. In piglets, blood iron, red blood cell and hemoglobin concentrations in ID treatment were higher (P < 0.05) on days 12 and 24. Furthermore, concentration of white blood cells in BR treatment was lower (P < 0.05) on day 12. However, the percentage of lymphocytes on day 12 was increased (P < 0.05) in BR treatment. In conclusion, effect of iron dextran and bacterial‐iron has no difference on growth performance in lactating sows and piglets, but iron dextran injection has higher blood iron, white blood cell, red blood cell and hemoglobin concentrations in piglets.     

土曲霉对小鼠肝氧化损伤及铁死亡相关指标的影响

旨在探究土曲霉引起小鼠肝损伤的机制。将20只昆明小鼠随机分为对照组和试验组,试验组腹腔注射0.3 mL （5×10⁷ CFU·mL^-1）土曲霉MSF2菌株孢子悬液,试验周期为7 d。采集小鼠肝用丙二醛（MDA）、谷胱甘肽（GSH）、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶（GSH-PX）、总超氧化物歧化酶（T-SOD）试剂盒检测肝氧化损伤相关指标;铁检测试剂盒检测肝铁离子含量;制备肝石蜡切片,进行HE染色和普鲁士蓝染色,观察其病理变化及铁沉积;透射电镜观察肝细胞超微结构;qPCR检测肝铁死亡相关基因mRNA相对转录水平。结果表明：土曲霉可引起试验组小鼠肝MDA含量极显著升高（P<0.01）,GSH含量、GSH-PX活力和T-SOD活力极显著降低（P<0.01）,铁离子含量极显著升高（P<0.01）,肝细胞肿胀、坏死,炎性细胞浸润,肝细胞中可见蓝染的铁离子沉积,肝细胞线粒体萎缩、嵴减少和膜密度增加,转铁蛋白1（TFR1）、二价金属离子转运体1（DMT1）、铁蛋白重链1（FTH1）和电压依赖性阴离子通道3（VDAC3）基因mRNA相对转录水平显著升高（P<0.05）,过氧化物酶4（GPX4）和胱氨酸/谷氨酸转运受体11（SLC7A11）基因mRNA相对转录水平显著降低（P<0.05）。综上表明,土曲霉MSF2菌株致小鼠肝损伤的机制是铁死亡,为深入研究土曲霉的致病机制提供参考资料。     

Pathophysiology of excessive iron storage in mynah birds

Hepatic iron overload was diagnosed in young and adult Rothschild's mynah birds. By light microscopic evaluation, it was determined that there was progressive accumulation of iron pigment with age in the hepatocytes. The Kupffer's cells of the liver, the reticuloendothelial cells of the spleen, and the phagocytic cells in the small intestine were negative for Prussian blue (iron) pigments. These observations suggested that diet had only a minor influence on the iron distribution in the mynah birds. This was confirmed by comparing iron distribution in the liver and spleen of mynah birds with that in other exotic birds receiving the same diet as the mynah birds. The syndrome of excessive iron overload in the mynah birds shared most of the important histopathologic characteristics with idiopathic (hereditary) hemochromatosis in human beings.     

Abdominal ascites in electric eels (Electrophorus electricus) associated with hepatic hemosiderosis and elevated water pH.

Six electric eels (Electrophorus electricus) from various centers that house aquatic organisms presented clinically with abdominal distension following prolonged exposure to elevated environmental pH. Postmortem examination revealed marked ascites. Culture of the abdominal fluid from three of the eels yielded either Aeromonas hydrophila or Citrobacter freundii, which were most likely secondary invaders. Histopathology showed marked iron accumulation in both hepatocytes and hepatic macrophage aggregates.     

Effect of feeding green onions (Allium ascalonicum) to White Chinese geese (Threskiornis spinicollis).

Sudden increase in mortality was observed in 2 different flocks of mature breeder geese fed green onions. At necropsy, birds had pale epicardium with random petechiation, sanguinous fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, and mild swelling of the liver and spleen. Histologically, there was accumulation of hemosiderin in hepatocytes, Kupffer cells of the liver, macrophages, and renal tubules. There was also moderate to severe hepatic necrosis, vacuolation of hepatocytes, splenitis, and renal tubular nephrosis. To assess the effects of green onion ingestion, 2 feeding trials were carried out in 3 mature White Chinese geese. In the first trial, onions were thoroughly mixed with pellet maintenance ration. In the second trial, onions were offered in a separate trough from the pelleted diet. During the 21 days of experiments, the red blood cell count and hematocrit decreased, whereas the polychromasia and reticulocyte estimate increased. The blood changes were more marked in birds from the second feeding trial. Gross and histologic changes were similar in both trials. Mild swelling and severe darkening of the liver were the only significant findings at necropsy. Histologically, the liver looked similar to that seen from the field outbreak. The liver contained moderate amounts of hemosiderin in the hepatocytes and Kupffer cells, and had centrolobular necrosis and vacuolation of hepatocytes. This experimental study demonstrated that anemia and liver pathology could be caused by ingestion of onions. Furthermore, Heinz bodies are not a consistent finding in the blood of geese fed onions.     

甘氨酸亚铁对断奶仔猪生长性能、铁表观消化率及血清铁相关指标的影响

本试验旨在研究甘氨酸亚铁对断奶仔猪生长性能、铁表观消化率及血清铁相关指标的影响。试验选取12头(28±1)日龄"杜×长×大"断奶仔猪,根据体重、健康状况等均衡分布原则分为2组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头仔猪,单个饲养于消化代谢笼。试验分为2个阶段,第1阶段:2组均饲喂缺铁基础饲粮10 d,使仔猪处于临近贫血状态;第2阶段:对照组在缺铁基础饲粮中额外添加100 mg/kg的硫酸亚铁(以铁计),试验组额外添加100 mg/kg的甘氨酸亚铁(以铁计),试验期10 d。结果表明:与添加硫酸亚铁相比,饲粮添加甘氨酸亚铁有降低仔猪料重比的趋势(P0.10),降低了4.57%,但对仔猪的平均日增重、平均日采食量无显著影响(P0.10);饲粮添加甘氨酸亚铁能显著降低粪中的铁排出量和铁排出总量(P0.05),分别降低了23.11%和22.09%;饲粮添加甘氨酸亚铁能极显著提高铁表观消化率和表观代谢率(P0.01),分别提高了13.34%和22.42%;同时,饲粮添加甘氨酸亚铁能显著提高血清中的铁饱和度和血液中的铁含量(P0.05)。综上,甘氨酸亚铁可提高断奶仔猪的生长性能,提高血液铁含量,改善仔猪铁代谢状况,降低粪便铁排出量,是一种绿色高效的新型补铁剂。     

Properties of a Complex of Iron and a Sorbitol-Gluconic Acid Polymer for Treatment of Piglet Anaemia

The properties of a complex of iron and a sorbitol-gluconic acid polymer useful for intramuscular treatment of piglet anaemia have been studied. In rabbits it is well absorbed from muscle and a small percentage (8 %) of the administered iron is excreted in the urine. A satisfactory utilization of the administered iron for haemoglobin synthesis has been shown in rats. A high degree of tolerance in piglets was observed also for the highest test doses, 600 mg iron per kg body weight. The clinical utilization was compared to that of iron-dextran using a total of 209 piglets and a dose of 200 mg iron for each animal. Five of these piglets were lost, but these deaths cannot be correlated to the treatment. Of the remaining animals 102 were treated with ISGP and 102 with iron-dextran, and the anaemia-preventing effect was similar for these 2 iron complexes.     

Peliosis hepatis-like lesion in aging rats

The incidence of peliosis hepatis-like lesions in two-year-old Charles River-CD Sprague-Dawley rats (Charles River Breeding Laboratories, Wilmington, MA) was almost twice as high in males as females. Blood lakes developed from progressive expansion of sinusoids with destruction of the hepatic cell cords. The endothelial processes of the blood lakes had edematous swelling, vesiculation, and denudation. The microvilli of hepatocytes became swollen, blunted, and sloughed where the endothelial processes were disrupted. Subsequently, the hepatocytes were exposed directly to circulating blood cells and had degenerative changes with accumulation of red blood cells in the cytoplasm. The membrane-bound cysts were observed with the blood lakes and were bounded with atrophic hepatocytes or membranous wall extending to the Disse's space of adjacent hepatocytes. The cysts were filled with proteinaceous fluid, fibrin, and a few red blood cells. The wall of membrane-bound cysts consisted of endothelial processes extending from the endothelial cells of adjacent hepatocytes. The wall appeared to develop from adhesion of endothelial processes surrounding sinusoidal spaces of the hepatocytes following lysis of atrophic hepatocytes.     

复合有机铁对母猪繁殖性能和仔猪生长性能的影响

通过在怀孕后期和哺乳期母猪日粮中添加不同水平的硫酸亚铁和复合有机铁,以及肌注铁与否来考察复合有机铁对母猪繁殖性能和仔猪生长性能的影响。结果表明,与无机铁相比,母猪饲粮中添加复合有机铁可提高母猪产活仔率和断奶仔猪存活率,提高仔猪10日龄、21日龄体重;综合铁源、铁水平以及肌注补铁的效应,添加120 mg/kg复合有机铁,同时仔猪均辅以肌注补铁,可显著提高仔猪肌注7日龄和断奶时体重(P<0.05)。     

葡聚糖铁治疗犊牛贫血的试验研究

本研究以葡聚糖铁治疗犊牛贫血,通过检测血液中血红蛋白、胆固醇、丙二醛(MDA)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)等指标的变化,验证该药对贫血的临床治疗效果。结果表明,试验组血液中血红蛋白、铁离子浓度显著高于对照组(P0.05),试验组中胆固醇、MDA低于对照组,差异极显著(P0.01),而试验组中CAT浓度显著高于对照组(P0.05)。说明葡聚糖铁可显著提高铁离子浓度、血红蛋白含量,纠正由于缺铁造成的氧化应激,治疗犊牛贫血具有较好的效果。     

Effects of triglyceride accumulation on induction of urea synthesis by glucagon and dexamethasone in monolayer cultures of bovine hepatocytes

Hepatocyte monolayer cultures from two preruminating and two ruminating calves were used to study the effects of triglyceride accumulation on induction of ureagenesis by glucagon plus dexamethasone. Whether hepatocytes from preruminating and ruminating calves respond similarly to triglyceride accumulation and hormonal treatment was also determined. Hepatocyte monolayer cultures were incubated from 24 to 48 h with a physiological mixture of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA, 0 or 1.5 mM) and a hormone mixture containing glucagon plus dexamethasone (0 or 100 nM of both) added as a 2 x 2 factorial (NEFA x hormones). Ureagenesis was measured at 0, .25, and 5 mM NH4Cl from 48 to 51 h and activities of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) and arginase were measured at 48 h. There was no significant age-related interaction for any of the measurements. Therefore, monolayer culture of hepatocytes from preruminating calves provides a reasonable model for studying the effects of glucagon, dexamethasone, and triglyceride accumulation on ureagenesis in the ruminating bovine. Intracellular triglyceride was increased by NEFA (2.3 vs 15.6 +/- 1.9 microg TG/microg DNA, P < .001). Triglyceride-engorged cells exhibited decreased ureagenesis (1.04 vs .87 +/- .135 nmol/(microg DNA x h), P < .05) but had unaltered OTC and arginase activity. Hormone addition did not affect triglyceride accumulation but increased ureagenesis (.70 vs 1.21 +/- .135 nmol/(microg DNA x h), P < .0001). There was no interaction between hormone addition and triglyceride accumulation on ureagenesis. To separate the effects of dexamethasone from that of glucagon on ureagenesis, hepatocyte monolayer cultures from one ruminating and three preruminating calves were used. Hepatocyte monolayer cultures were incubated from 24 to 48 h with glucagon (0 or 100 nM) and dexamethasone (0 or 100 nM) added as a 2 x 2 factorial. Ureagenesis was measured at 0, .25, and 5 mM NH4Cl from 48 to 51 h. Glucagon increased ureagenesis (.77 vs 1.24 +/- .11 nmol/(microg DNA x h), P < .0001). Dexamethasone did not affect ureagenesis, nor was there any interaction between glucagon and dexamethasone. Therefore, glucagon alone was responsible for the induction observed with the mixture of glucagon and dexamethasone. In conclusion, glucagon is able to increase ureagenesis in bovine hepatocytes, and triglyceride accumulation does not interfere with the induction.     

饲粮铁水平对山麻鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质及肝脏和血液指标的影响

本试验通过研究饲粮铁水平对山麻鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质及肝脏和血液指标的影响,旨在探讨产蛋期(17~30周龄)蛋鸭对饲粮铁的需要量。选用15周龄的山麻鸭432羽,随机分为6个组,每组6个重复,每个重复12羽,单笼饲养。试验蛋鸭饲喂不添加铁的基础饲粮(含铁52.2 mg/kg)2周后,分别在基础饲粮中添加0、15、30、45、60、75 mg/kg的一水合硫酸亚铁(FeSO_4·H_2O),试验饲粮铁水平分别为52.2、67.2、82.2、97.2、112.2和127.2 mg/kg。试验期14周。结果表明:1)产蛋初期(17~18周龄),随着饲粮铁水平的提高,平均蛋重先升高后降低,其中饲粮铁水平为67.2、82.2和97.2 mg/kg组的平均蛋重显著高于112.2 mg/kg组(P0.05)。产蛋高峰期(19~30周龄)和试验全期(17~30周龄),饲粮铁水平对蛋鸭日采食量、产蛋率、平均蛋重、日产蛋重和料蛋比均无显著影响(P0.05)。2)随着饲粮铁水平的提高,蛋黄色泽呈先升高后下降趋势,饲粮铁水平为97.2 mg/kg组蛋黄色泽最高。3)肝脏铁含量随饲粮铁水平的提高而呈上升趋势,其中饲粮铁水平为127.2 mg/kg组的铁含量显著高于52.2 mg/kg组(P0.05)。4)随着饲粮铁水平的提高,肝脏过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性呈先升高后下降趋势,其中饲粮铁水平为67.2 mg/kg组CAT活性显著高于97.2、112.2和127.2 mg/kg组(P0.05)。饲粮铁水平对肝脏琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)活性无显著影响(P0.05)。5)血红蛋白浓度和红细胞压积随饲粮铁水平的提高而上升;饲粮铁水平为97.2、112.2和127.2 mg/kg组的血红蛋白浓度显著高于52.2 mg/kg组(P0.05),饲粮铁水平为112.2和127.2 mg/kg组的红细胞压积显著高于52.2 mg/kg组(P0.05)。6)以平均蛋重为指标,通过二次曲线模型的回归方程可获得产蛋初期山麻鸭饲粮适宜铁水平为73.9 mg/kg。综合考虑,建议产蛋初期山麻鸭饲粮铁水平为73.9 mg/kg,产蛋高峰期为52.2 mg/kg。     

Hemochromatosis in Salers Cattle

Two 2-year-old Salers cattle from different herds raised on pasture were evaluated for retarded growth and diarrhea. Increase of liver enzyme activities and prolonged sulfobromophothalein (BSP) half life (T1/2) indicated liver disease with impaired liver function. Histopathologic examination of liver biopsies revealed a micronodular cirrhosis with marked deposition of hemosiderin in hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, and arterioles. Transferrin saturation (TS) and liver iron content were markedly increased, consistent with a diagnosis of hemochromatosis. Both animals were euthanatized due to deterioration in their condition. Necropsy findings included hepatomegaly and hemosiderin accumulation in the liver, lymph nodes, pancreas, spleen, thyroid, kidney, brain and other glandular tissue. Continued surveillance of the second herd (serum iron, total iron binding capacity [TIBC], unsaturated iron binding capacity [UIBC], and TS), identified a heifer as a hemochromatosis suspect in a subsequent generation. Liver biopsies from that animal revealed the same histopathologic changes as the previous 2 animals, and similar increases in liver iron content (8,700 ppm, normal range 45 to 300 ppm). The 3 affected cattle were all products of line breeding programs and shared a common ancestor. The absence of dietary iron loading in conjunction with the histopathologic and metabolic findings were consistent with a diagnosis of primary hemochromatosis. The reported disease is similar to idiopathic hemochromatosis in human beings in which there is a hereditary defect in iron metabolism.     

Copper-associated chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis in a European Shorthair cat

A 2-year-old, castrated, male European Shorthair cat was presented with inappetence, vomiting, and fever. Ascites and an irregularly nodular liver were observed on laparotomy; in view of the poor prognosis, the animal was euthanatized. Histopathologic examination of the liver showed a chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis associated with massive accumulation of copper in hepatocytes and macrophages, particularly in the fibrotic areas between the regenerative nodules. Electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis revealed lysosomal accumulation of copper in the hepatocytes. Analytical determination showed very high copper concentrations in the liver. No evidence for increased dietary or environmental copper could be found. This and the pattern of hepatic copper storage, the associated inflammation and fibrosis, strongly suggest a primary copper storage disorder.     

Hematologic responses in llamas with experimentally-induced iron deficiency anemia

Hematologic abnormalities consistent with iron deficiency anemia were experimentally induced in two healthy llamas by repeated phlebotomy. Hematologic abnormalities included erythrocyte microcytosis and hypochromia, decreased hemoglobin concentration, hypoferremia, and decreased transferrin saturation. Erythrocyte volume distribution histograms were more sensitive than mean corpuscular volume values for detection of microcytosis. Hypochromia, which was often eccentric, was morphologically observed on Wright-Giemsa-stained blood films. Frequent folded erythrocytes and dacryocytes were also noted on the blood films. Hematologic abnormalities resolved rapidly after cessation of blood removal, without parenteral iron supplementation.     

桑树铁素营养研究进展

本文根据国内外对桑树铁素营养研究的主要成果及近年来的最新进展，对土壤中铁素存在形态、影响其有效性发挥的因素进行了述评，同时就桑树对铁的吸收、运转，桑树的缺铁症状、诊断及综合防治措施进行了综述，并对以后桑树铁素营养研究所存在的问题和今后的研究重点作了展望。     

Analyses of hemorrhagic diathesis in high-iron diet-fed rats

Iron overload has been well recognized to cause oxidant-mediated cellular/tissue injury; however, little is known about the effects of iron overload on the blood coagulation system. We encountered an unexpected bleeding tendency in rats fed a high-iron diet in a set of studies using iron-modified diets. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of hemorrhagic diathesis induced by dietary iron overload in rats. Six-week-old F344/DuCrlCrlj male rats were fed a standard (containing 0.02% iron) or a high-iron diet (containing 1% iron) for 6 weeks and were then sampled for hematological, blood biochemical, coagulation, and pathological examinations. Serum and liver iron levels increased in rats fed the high-iron diet (Fe group) and serum transferrin was almost saturated with iron. However, serum transaminase levels did not increase. Moreover, plasma prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were significantly prolonged, regardless of the presence of hemorrhage. The activity of clotting factors II and VII (vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors) decreased significantly, whereas that of factor VIII was unaltered. Blood platelet levels were not influenced by dietary iron overload, suggesting that the bleeding tendency in iron-overloaded rats is caused by secondary hemostasis impairment. In addition, hemorrhage was observed in multiple organs in rats fed diets containing more than 0.8% iron. Our results suggest that iron overload can increase the susceptibility of coagulation abnormalities caused by latent vitamin K insufficiency.     

铁对1~4周龄五龙鹅生产性能、造血功能和铁代谢的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮铁添加水平对1~4周龄五龙鹅生产性能、造血功能和铁代谢的影响,以确定鹅饲粮铁的适宜添加水平。试验选用1日龄五龙鹅360只,随机分为6个组,每个组6个重复,每个重复10只。Ⅰ组为对照组,饲喂基础饲粮,Ⅱ~Ⅴ组分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加40、80、120、160、200 mg/kg铁的试验饲粮。试验期4周。结果表明,与对照组相比:1)饲粮中添加80~120 mg/kg铁能显著或极显著增加五龙鹅的体重和平均日增重(P0.05或P0.01),显著降低料重比(P0.05);2)饲粮中添加80~120 mg/kg铁显著提高了鹅的屠宰率、半净膛率和腿肌率(P0.05);3)饲粮中添加80 mg/kg铁显著提高了鹅血液的平均红细胞体积和平均红细胞血红蛋白含量(P0.05),饲粮中添加80~200 mg/kg铁显著提高了鹅血液的红细胞数和血红蛋白浓度(P0.05),饲粮中添加120~200 mg/kg铁显著或极显著提高了鹅血液的红细胞压积(P0.05或P0.01);4)饲粮中添加160~200 mg/kg铁显著降低了鹅血清中总铁结合力(P0.05),显著提高鹅血清中转铁蛋白饱和度(P0.05);饲粮中添加120 mg/kg铁显著降低了鹅血清中尿素氮和肌酐含量(P0.05),饲粮中添加80 mg/kg铁显著降低了鹅血清中尿酸含量(P0.05)。由此可见,以最佳生长性能为目标,1~4周龄五龙鹅饲粮中铁的适宜添加水平为99.56~116.91 mg/kg。