Effect of iron supplementation on plasma levels of vitamins A, E and C in piglets

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of two different commercially available iron-dextran preparations for intramuscular injecti on of piglets on haematological parameters including haemoglobin, haematocr it and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), as well as on pla sma levels of vitamins A, E and C. Piglets were either control animals or a dministered two different iron-dextran preparations (200 mg iron) at day 3 and blood samples were taken by puncture of the cava vein at 3 (before inje ction), 10, 17 and 24 days after birth. Both iron preparations were efficie nt to prevent anaemia from day 10 onwards (P < 0.001) with no differences b etween the iron preparations used. While no significant differences were ob served for the plasma level of vitamin E, the administration of iron caused a more pronounced decrease in plasma vitamin C than in control animals wit h significant differences observed already at day 10 (P < 0.001). Furthermo re, the administration of iron prevented the decrease in the concentration of retinol in plasma as observed in control piglets, resulting in higher pl asma retinol levels at day 24 (P<0.01). This would indicate an improvement of the vitamin A status by stabilisation of plasma retinol levels in piglet s after birth. Because of the overall role of vitamin A in growth and tissu e integrity, this could be of importance for the well-being of the developi ng piglet. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All lights reserved.