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For the present study two different trials were conducted. In Exp 1, seven sows were selected from a larger subset in which their diets contained either and organic (n=3) or inorganic (n=4) trace minerals. Therefore a total of 68 piglets born from those sows were controlled for growth and gain data and blood samples were also collected on days 2, 7, 9, 13 and 17 after birth. In Exp 2 half of the pigs in each litter were allotted to two additional treatments, Fe injection group received either 0 or 200 mg of Fe in the neck muscles at weaning. Post-weaning experiments were conducted as a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement as follows, the original sow dietary trace mineral organic or inorganic source Fe, the neonatal Fe injection (0 or 200 mg) and the Fe injection (0 or 200mg) at weaning. Pigs were bled and weighed on days 0, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21 and 28 post-weaning.
Neonate piglets from sows fed organic trace minerals had lower (P<0.05) haemoglobin concentration than those piglets from sows fed inorganic trace minerals. During the nursery period blood haemoglobin remains lower when sows were fed organic Fe than those fed the inorganic Fe source. Piglets without Fe injection had decreased ADG (P<0.05) during the first two weeks than piglets injected Fe. Ceruloplasmine oxidase activity was low at birth, increased to weaning in each treatment group, and was greater in pigs without Fe injection at day 13 (P<0.05) than those from sows fed organic minerals at day 17 (P<0.01). When Fe fortified diet was fed to sows, piglet BW and ADG were both greater (P<0.05) to 28 days post-weaning when neonates had received Fe injections. It is concluded that a reduced Fe bioavailability when sows were fed the organic source, lowered Fe status or greater Fe needs of the sow because of the great number piglets farrowed and heavier litter weight at parturition and weaning. Fe injection at birth may be critical to achieving maximum pig growth to weaning.
JC Peters and DC Mahan. 2008. Journal of Animal Science. 86:2261-2269.
