The postnatal iron status of trotter foals

The postnatal iron status of 20 trotter foals (7 female, 13 male) was studied by analyzing different parameters in blood drawn on the day of birth, and 14 +/- 2 and 28 +/- 2 days later. Hemoglobin hematocrit, plasma iron and transferrin saturation averaged 14.9 g/dl, 41.8%, 300 micrograms/dl and 59.4%, respectively, on the day of birth. These values were significantly reduced after 14 days, but had approached again the initial levels by day 28. There was a slight, statistically nonsignificant rise in the mean total iron-binding capacity over the four-week period. Iron status was not affecting by the sex of the foals. On the day of parturition, the mares had much lower levels of plasma iron and transferrin saturation than their foals. In the discussion, the importance of checking the iron status of each individual foal during the critical period of the first 14 days post partum is stressed.