Effects of Dietary Iron on Performance and Mineral Utilization in Lambs Fed a Forage-Based Diet

Abstract

Twenty-four lambs, averaging 29 kg, were used to determine the effect of supplemental dietary Fe on performance and Cu, P, Zn and Mn utilization. Treatments consisted of supplemental Fe at 0, 300, 600 or 1,200 mg/kg diet as ferrous carbonate. The basal diet contained 154 mg Fe/kg diet and consisted of 90% Coastal bermudagrass pellets, 9.45% group corn, .5% sodium chloride and .05% vitamin mix. Lambs were slaughtered after having ad libitum access to diets for 98 to 121 d. Dietary Fe did not affect lamb gain or feed intake. Supplemental Fe increased Fe concentrations in liver (P less than .01), spleen (P less than .01) and bone (P less than .10), but not in kidney and muscle. Serum Fe concentrations and percentage transferrin saturation in serum were increased (P less than .01) by supplemental Fe at 28 and 84 d, but not at the termination of the study. Plasma Cu was decreased (P less than .01) at 56 d, whereas serum ceruloplasmin activity was reduced (P less than .01) at 28 d in lambs fed 1,200 mg Fe/kg diet compared with lambs fed 600 mg Fe/kg diet. Lower levels of Fe (300 and 600) reduced (P less than .01) ceruloplasmin by 56 d and plasma Cu by 84 d compared with controls. Liver Cu also was decreased (P less than .05) by supplemental Fe. Plasma P was decreased slightly (P less than .10) by 28 d and significantly (P less than .01) at the other sampling dates by supplemental Fe.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of abomasal ferrous lactate infusion on phosphorus absorption in lactating dairy cows

“…The concentration of serum Pi was in the normal range (6.07-6.82 mg/dL) and was not affected by treat-ment, further evidence of the lack of effect of infused Fe on absorption of P. In lambs, supplementation of 1,200 mg of Fe/kg of DM as ferrous carbonate decreased plasma P concentration slightly and reduced Cu stores, Cu transport, and storage protein without affecting bone ash (Prabowo et al, 1988). In calves, increasing dietary supplementation of ferric citrate (from 100 to 2,000 mg/ kg) decreased plasma Pi without affecting weight gain and feed intake (Koong et al, 1970).…”

Chemical composition and in sacco dry matter degradability of residue and by‐products of palm fruit processing in the rumen of steers

“…Copper toxicity in adult ruminants (except sheep) who consume these materials may be rare. This is because Cu bioavailability is influenced by fiber component, and iron and sulfur concentrations (Suttle 1974;Prabowo et al 1988) among other factors. The prorozoa present in Means within a row not followed by the same superscript are different significantly (P < 0.05).…”

Yield and mineral content of ten enset (Ensete ventricosum) varieties

“…The high level of Fe could have an effect on the utilization of other minerals. Previous studies indicated that addition of 250-1200 mg of Fe/kg of diet greatly reduced copper status in cattle (Bremner et al 1987;Phillippo et al 1987b) and sheep (Prabowo et al 1988). Similarly, it was shown that high levels of Fe in the diet interfere with the absorption of Zn, Cu and Mn (Gengelbach et al 1994).…”