Effects of iron glycine chelate on growth, haematological and immunological characteristics in weanling pigs

Dietary replacement of inorganic trace minerals with lower levels of organic trace minerals leads to enhanced antioxidant capacity, nutrient digestibility, and reduced fecal mineral excretion in growing-finishing pigs

Introduction

More effective and environment-friendly organic trace minerals have great potential to replace the inorganic elements in the diets of livestock. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary replacement of 100% inorganic trace minerals (ITMs) with 30-60% organic trace minerals (OTMs) on the performance, meat quality, antioxidant capacity, nutrient digestibility, and fecal mineral excretion and to assess whether low-dose OTMs could replace whole ITMs in growing-finishing pigs' diets.

Methods

A total of 72 growing-finishing pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) with an initial average body weight of 74.25 ± 0.41 kg were selected and divided into four groups with six replicates per group and three pigs per replicate. The pigs were fed either a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing commercial levels of 100% ITMs or a basal diet with 30, 45, or 60% amino acid-chelated trace minerals instead of 100% ITMs, respectively. The trial ended when the pigs' weight reached ~110 kg.

Results

The results showed that replacing 100% ITMs with 30-60% OTMs had no adverse effect on average daily gain, average daily feed intake, feed/gain, carcass traits, or meat quality (P > 0.05) but significantly increased serum transferrin and calcium contents (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, replacing 100% ITMs with OTMs tended to increase serum T-SOD activity (0.05 ≤ P < 0.1), and 30% OTMs significantly increased muscle Mn-SOD activity (P < 0.05). Moreover, replacing 100% ITMs with OTMs tended to increase the apparent digestibility of energy, dry matter, and crude protein (0.05 ≤ P < 0.1) while significantly reducing the contents of copper, zinc, and manganese in feces (P < 0.05).

Discussion

In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 30-60% OTMs has the potential to replace 100% ITMs for improving antioxidant capacity and nutrient digestibility and for reducing fecal mineral excretion without compromising the performance of growing-finishing pigs.

Dietary supplementation of ferrous glycinate improves intestinal barrier function by modulating microbiota composition in Cherry Valley ducks

Ferrous glycinate (Fe-Gly) has been increasingly used as iron fortification in the diets of weaned piglets and broilers, but the effect of Fe-Gly on intestinal barrier function in meat ducks has not been well defined. This study therefore investigated the effect of Fe-Gly on apparent nutrient utilization, hematological indices, intestinal morphological parameters, intestinal barrier function and microbial composition in meat ducks. A total of 672 one-day-old Cherry Valley ducks were randomly divided into 6 treatments (8 replicates for each treatment and 14 ducks for each replicate) and fed diets with 0 (control), 30, 60, 90 and 120 mg/kg Fe-Gly or 120 mg/kg FeSO₄ for 35 d. The results showed that diets supplemented with Fe-Gly significantly increased average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), hematocrit (HCT), mean cell volume (MCV), the apparent utilization of dry matter (DM) and metabolizable energy (ME), villus height (VH) and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (V:C) (P < 0.05). Fe-Gly also significantly up-regulated barrier-related genes including zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), zonula occludens-2 (ZO-2), mucin 2 (MUC2) and lysozyme (LYZ) (P < 0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA expression of claudin-2 (CLDN2) and occludin (OCLN) in the jejunum (P < 0.05). The 16S rRNA sequence analysis indicated that the diet with Fe-Gly had a higher relative abundance of Intestinimonas and Romboutsia (P < 0.05), which have an ability to produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially butyric acid. It also decreased the relative abundance of pathobiont, including Megamonas, Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group and Plebeius (P < 0.05). Additionally, diets supplemented with 120 mg/kg Fe-Gly significantly increased the apparent utilization of DM and ME (P < 0.05) and decreased the relative abundance of Megamonas_unclassified and Bacteroides_unclassified compared with those fed 120 mg/kg FeSO₄ (P < 0.05). These results revealed that diets supplemented with Fe-Gly exerted a potent beneficial effect on physical, chemical, immune and microbial barriers, thereby improving the integrity of the intestinal structure, promoting the digestion and absorption of nutrients to a certain extent, and ultimately elevating the growth performance of ducks.

Iron delivery systems for controlled release of iron and enhancement of iron absorption and bioavailability

Iron deficiency is a global nutritional problem, and adding iron salts directly to food will have certain side effects on the human body. Therefore, there is growing interest in food-grade iron delivery systems. This review provides an overview of iron delivery systems, with emphasis on the controlled release of iron during gastrointestinal digestion, as well as the enhancement of iron absorption and bioavailability. Iron-bearing proteins are easily degraded by digestive enzymes and absorbed through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Instead, protein aggregates are slowly degraded in the stomach, which delays iron release and serves as a potential iron supplement. Amino acids, peptides and polysaccharides can bind iron through iron binding sites, but the formed compounds are prone to dissociation in the stomach. Moreover, peptides and polysaccharides can deliver iron by mediating the formation of ferric oxyhydroxide which is absorbed through endocytosis or bivalent transporter 1. In addition, liposomes are unstable during gastric digestion and iron is released in large quantities. Complexes formed by polysaccharides and proteins, and microcapsules formed by polysaccharides can delay the release of iron in the gastric environment and prolong iron release in the intestinal environment. This review is conducive to the development of iron functional ingredients and dietary supplements.

Dietary Supplementation of Ferrous Glycine Chelate Improves Growth Performance of Piglets by Enhancing Serum Immune Antioxidant Properties, Modulating Microbial Structure and Its Metabolic Function in the Early Stage

The present research aimed to explore the effect of dietary ferrous glycine chelate supplementation on performance, serum immune-antioxidant parameters, fecal volatile fatty acids, and microbiota in weaned piglets. A total of 80 healthy piglets (weaned at 28 day with an initial weight of 7.43 ± 1.51 kg) were separated into two treatments with five replicates of eight pigs each following a completely randomized block design. The diet was a corn-soybean basal diet with 2,000 mg/kg ferrous glycine chelates (FGC) or not (Ctrl). The serum and fecal samples were collected on days 14 and 28 of the experiment. The results indicated that dietary FGC supplementation improved (p < 0.05) the average daily gain and average daily feed intake overall, alleviated (p < 0.05) the diarrhea rate of piglets at the early stage, enhanced (p < 0.05) the levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase on day 14 and lowered (p < 0.05) the MDA level overall. Similarly, the levels of growth hormone and serum iron were increased (p < 0.05) in the FGC group. Moreover, dietary FGC supplementation was capable of modulating the microbial community structure of piglets in the early period, increasing (p < 0.05) the abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria Tezzerella, decreasing (p < 0.05) the abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria Slackia, Olsenella, and Prevotella as well as stimulating (p < 0.05) the propanoate and butanoate metabolisms. Briefly, dietary supplemented FGC ameliorates the performance and alleviated the diarrhea of piglets by enhancing antioxidant properties, improving iron transport, up-regulating the growth hormone, modulating the fecal microbiota, and increasing the metabolism function. Therefore, FGC is effective for early iron supplementation and growth of piglets and may be more effective in neonatal piglets.

Effects of dietary supplementation of iron as sulphates or glycine chelates on the productive performance and concentrations of acute-phase proteins and iron in the serum and liver tissues of broiler chickens

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of inorganic (ferrous sulfate [FeSO4] and FeSO4 + phytase [FeSO4+F]) and organic forms of iron (ferrous glycine chelate [FeGly], Fe-Gly + phytase [Fe-Gly+F]) on the concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SA), alpha- 1-acid glycoprotein (α-AGP), haptoglobin (Hp), transferrin (TRF) and iron in the blood and liver tissue of poultry. Ross 308 roosters were used in this study. The acute-phase protein (AP) levels in the chicken serum and liver tissues were assayed using the double-antibody sandwich ELISA kits for chickens. The iron levels in serum and liver samples were measured using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that the serum and hepatic iron concentration in the chickens receiving Fe-Gly and Fe-Gly-F were significantly higher than those in the control group and in the chickens receiving iron in the form of sulphates. Further, serum CRP and SA concentrations were lower in the chickens from the supplemented groups than in those from the control. The hepatic CRP concentration was higher in the supplemented groups than in the control group. The serum and hepatic TRF concentration were highest in the chickens receiving FeSO4 and FeSO4-F. The hepatic Hp concentration was higher in the chickens receiving organic forms of iron than in the control chickens, whereas the serum Hp concentrations were similar across the groups. The highest α-1-AGP concentration was found in the livers of the chickens receiving Fe- Gly and Fe-Gly-F. Taken together, these findings suggest that iron had the most beneficial effects for poultry in terms of health, performance and immunity when added to the feed in the form of glycine chelate.

Effects of dietary iron level on growth performance, hematological status, and intestinal function in growing-finishing pigs

This study investigated the different addition levels of iron (Fe) in growing-finishing pigs and the effect of different Fe levels on growth performance, hematological status, intestinal barrier function, and intestinal digestion. A total of 1,200 barrows and gilts ([Large White × Landrace] × Duroc) with average initial body weight (BW; 27.74 ± 0.28 kg) were housed in 40 pens of 30 pigs per pen (gilts and barrows in half), blocked by BW and gender, and fed five experimental diets (eight replicate pens per diet). The five experimental diets were control diet (basal diet with no FeSO4 supplementation), and the basal diet being supplemented with 150, 300, 450, or 600 mg/kg Fe as FeSO4 diets. The trial lasted for 100 d and was divided into the growing phase (27 to 60 kg of BW) for the first 50 d and the finishing phase (61 to 100 kg of BW) for the last 50 d. The basal diet was formulated with an Fe-free trace mineral premix and contained 203.36 mg/kg total dietary Fe in the growing phase and 216.71 mg/kg in the finishing phase based on ingredient contributions. And at the end of the experiment, eight pigs (four barrows and four gilts) were randomly selected from each treatment (selected one pig per pen) for digesta, blood, and intestinal samples collection. The results showed that the average daily feed intake (P = 0.025), average daily gain (P = 0.020), and BW (P = 0.019) increased linearly in the finishing phase of pigs fed with the diets containing Fe. On the other hand, supplementation with different Fe levels in the diet significantly increased serum iron and transferrin saturation concentrations (P < 0.05), goblet cell numbers of duodenal villous (P < 0.001), and MUC4 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). The apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids (AA) for pigs in the 450 and 600 mg/kg Fe groups was greater (P < 0.05) than for pigs in the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 450 to 600 mg/kg Fe improved the growth performance of pigs by changing hematological status and by enhancing intestinal goblet cell differentiation and AID of AA.

Effects of feeding increasing levels of iron from iron sulfate or iron carbonate on nursery pig growth performance and hematological criteria

A total of 140 weanling pigs (241 × 600, DNA, Columbus, NE; initially 5.5 ± 0.79 kg body weight) were used in a 32-d study evaluating the effects of increasing dietary Fe from either iron sulfate (FeSO4) or iron carbonate (FeCO3) on nursery pig growth performance and blood Fe status. The pigs used for this trial did not receive an Fe injection after birth in order to increase the sensitivity to added dietary Fe after weaning. Pigs were weaned at approximately 21 d and allotted to pens based on the initial weight in a completely randomized block design with five pigs in each pen and four pens per treatment. Experimental treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial with main effects of dietary Fe source (FeSO4 vs. FeCO3) and level (10, 30, or 50 mg/kg of added Fe) plus a negative control with no additional dietary Fe. The basal diet contained 40 mg/kg total dietary Fe based on ingredient contributions and was formulated with an Fe-free trace mineral premix. Experimental diets were formulated below the pigs recommended Fe requirement based on NRC (2012) estimates. Experimental diets were fed in pellet form in a single phase for the duration of the trial. From day 0 to 32, there was no evidence for source × level interactions for growth performance, hemoglobin (Hb), or hematocrit (Hct) values. There was no evidence for a difference (P > 0.10) in dietary Fe source. Providing increasing Fe levels in the diet from either FeSO4 or FeCO3 improved (P < 0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake, gain-to-feed ratio, and increased (P < 0.05) Hb and Hct values. A day effect (P = 0.001) was observed for both Hb and Hct with values increasing throughout the study. Increasing dietary Fe levels in the diet from either FeSO4 or FeCO3 increased (linear; P < 0.05) Hb and Hct values on days 14, 21, and 32. In summary, these data suggest that the micronized form of FeCO3 is a source of Fe that can be added to nursery diets to yield similar responses to those observed from FeSO4 supplementation. Similar to previous research, increasing dietary Fe improved the growth performance and increased Hb and Hct values when pigs have low Fe status at weaning.

Curcumin@metal organic frameworks nano-composite for treatment of chronic toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic protozoal disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular opportunistic protozoan parasite that can infect any warm-blooded vertebrate cell. In this study, zirconium, and iron-based metal-organic framework was prepared according to the solvothermal method. New nanocomposite (Curcumin@MOFs) was prepared by reacting curcumin with amino-functionalized metal-organic frameworks (Fe-MOF and UiO-66-NH₂). Besides characterizations of the composite by powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope, nano-Curcumin@MOFs was used as a new novel structure as atrial for treatment of chronic toxoplasmosis. Results showed a reduced number of brain cysts, high levels of serum Toxo IgG, and normal histo-morphology with preserved parenchymal, and stromal tissues in rats groups treated with curcumin and Curcumin@MOFs nanocomposite.

Effects of inorganic trace minerals replaced by complexed glycinates on reproductive performance, blood profiles, and antioxidant status in broiler breeders

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing inorganic trace minerals (ITM) with organic trace minerals (OTM; complexed glycinates) on reproductive performance, blood profiles, and antioxidant status in broiler breeders. A total of 648, 23-week-old healthy broiler breeders (ZhenNing), with similar body weight (1.40 ± 0.002 kg), were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates in each group (27 hens/replicate) and fed the respective experimental diets for 14 wk (including 2 wk for adaptation). The experimental treatments consisted of T1: Cont., commercially recommended levels of ITM (Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn sulfates); T2: Mix, half trace minerals (TM) were provided from ITM and half from OTM (glycinates); T3: M-OTM, TM were provided from glycinates and reduced to 70% of T1; T4: L-OTM, TM were provided from glycinates and reduced to 50% of T1. The results showed that commercial level of inorganic trace minerals replaced by low-dose complexed glycinates (T3 and T4) exhibited no significant effects on laying performance, 50% ITM replaced by complexed glycinates (T2) numerically improved laying rate by 1.23% than cont. treatment (T1). Broiler breeders fed complexed glycinates tended to produce more qualified eggs (P = 0.05) in T3, with better yolk color (P < 0.01) and eggshell thickness (P = 0.05) in T2 treatment. Replacement of low-dose complexed glycinates reduced fertilization rate (P < 0.01), while it did not affect hatchability. There were no significant differences in serum reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone among the treatments. Serum total protein, albumin, and phosphorus were increased respectively with the replacement of ITM by low-dose OTM from complexed glycinates (P < 0.05). Total liver antioxidant capacity in M-OTM and L-OTM treatment was higher than that of Cont. and Mix treatments (P < 0.01). In conclusion, replacement of high levels of ITM by lower levels of OTM in the form of complexed glycinates is beneficial for egg quality and liver antioxidant status in broiler breeders during the peak laying period.

Effects of hot melt extrusion processed nano-iron on growth performance, blood composition, and iron bioavailability in weanling pigs

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of hot melt extrusion (HME) nano-iron as an alternative for the common ferrous sulfate on iron (Fe) bioavailability, growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, and intestinal microbiota of weanling pigs. A total of 200 piglets (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) were randomly allotted to seven treatments on the basis of initial body weight (BW) and sex. Treatments were the INO100 (100 ppm Fe as FeSO₄), HME-Fe levels (50, 75, and 100 ppm nano-Fe as FeSO₄). ORG100 (100 ppm Fe as iron methionine). In phase 1, the HME50 pigs showed the lowest Fe content in feed and feces. Plasma Fe concentration was increased in HME100 and ORG100 pigs. In phase 2, there were significantly lower concentration of Fe in feed and feces of HME50 pigs (p < 0.01). A lower Fe concentration in the plasma and liver were observed in HME50 pigs compared with HME100 pigs. Concentration of red blood cell (RBC) was the lowest (p < 0.01) for HME50 pigs. During phase 2, the HME100, HME75, and ORG100 pigs showed a higher RBC and hemoglobin values compared with HME50 pigs. Digestibility of gross energy (GE) and crude protein (CP) were significantly higher in HME100 pigs compared with HME50 pigs. There was an increased (p < 0.01) villus height in the duodenum and jejunum of HME100 pigs compared with HME50 pigs. It is concluded that dietary Fe does not improve growth performance of weanling pigs; however, increasing the dietary iron concentration in weanling piglets increased the RBC and hemoglobin. In addition, the potential ability of HME to be used at a lower level (HME75) was observed.

Iron Transport from Ferrous Bisglycinate and Ferrous Sulfate in DMT1-Knockout Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cells

This experiment was conducted to investigate the transport characteristics of iron from ferrous bisglycinate (Fe-Gly) in intestinal cells. The divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1)-knockout Caco-2 cell line was developed by Crispr-Cas9, and then the cells were treated with ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄) or Fe-Gly to observe the labile iron pool and determine their iron transport. The results showed that the intracellular labile iron increased significantly with Fe-Gly or FeSO₄ treatment, and this phenomenon was evident over a wide range of time and iron concentrations in the wild-type cells, whereas in the knockout cells it increased only after processing with high concentrations of iron for a long time (p < 0.05). DMT1-knockout suppressed the synthesis of ferritin and inhibited the response of iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP-1) and IRP-2 to these two iron sources. The expression of peptide transporter 1 (PepT1) was not altered by knockout or iron treatment. Interestingly, the expression of zinc-regulated transporter (ZRT) and iron-regulated transporter (IRT)-like protein 14 (Zip14) was elevated significantly by knockout and iron treatment in wild-type cells (p < 0.05). These results indicated that iron from Fe-Gly was probably mainly transported into enterocytes via DMT1 like FeSO₄; Zip14 may play a certain role in the intestinal iron transport.

Effect of Zinc Sulfate and Zinc Glycine Chelate on Concentrations of Acute Phase Proteins in Chicken Serum and Liver Tissue

The aim of the study was to determine how inorganic and organic forms of zinc affect the concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (α-1-AGP), haptoglobin (Hp), and transferrin (TRF) in the blood and liver tissue of 450 1-day-old Ross 308 chicken. Four experimental groups received one the following: inorganic zinc (ZnSO4), a zinc phytase enzyme supplement (ZnSO4-F), organic zinc in combination with glycine (Zn-Gly), or organic zinc supplemented with phytase (Zn-Gly-F). The chicken serum and liver homogenates were assayed using an ELISA kit. The results of the study showed statistically significantly higher serum and liver concentration of SAA in the group of birds that received zinc sulfate in comparison to the group of birds receiving zinc in organic form. A statistically significantly higher serum concentration of CRP and α-1-AGP was also noted in the group receiving zinc sulfate as compared to the Zn-Gly group. Comparison of the serum concentration of TRF between the supplemented groups showed a statistically significant increase in this parameter in the Zn-Gly-F group as compared to the ZSO4-F group. The increase in the serum concentration of Hp in all groups in comparison to the control may indicate stimulation of local immune mechanisms. The results of this study showed an increase in the concentrations of APPs such as AGP and TRF following the administration of zinc glycine chelates, which may demonstrate their effect on metabolic processes in the liver and on immunocompetent cells that regulate the intensity of the immune response.

Effect of feed supplementation with zinc glycine chelate and zinc sulfate on cytokine and immunoglobulin gene expression profiles in chicken intestinal tissue

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of inorganic and organic forms of Zn on the expression of cytokines (IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-17, IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β) and immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG) in the tissues of the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) of broiler chickens. In the experiment, 90 broiler chickens were divided into 4 experimental groups and a control group, with 18 birds each. The birds received Zn supplements in inorganic form with and without phytase (ZnSO4 and ZnSO4 + F), and in organic form with glycine, with and without phytase (Zn-Gly and Zn-Gly + F). The total rearing period was 42 days. Quantitative real-time (RT)-PCR was used to measure the expression of the cytokines and immunoglobulins. The differences between the results obtained for the control and experimental groups, between the groups receiving ZnSO4 and Zn-Gly, and between groups ZnSO4-F and Zn-Gly-F were analyzed statistically. High relative expression of IL-2 was observed for the chickens in the groups receiving ZnSO4-F, Zn-Gly, and Zn-Gly-F on d 42 in comparison to the control group. High relative expression of TNF-α, IL-12, and IL-17 was noted in the group that received ZnSO4 + F. High expression of IgG, IgA, IL-4, TGF-β, and IL-10 was noted in the groups of chickens that received feed supplemented with Zn-Gly and Zn-Gly + F chelates on d 42 of the study in comparison to the control group. In conclusion, supplementation with Zn-Gly chelates can ensure Th1 and Th2 balance during the immune response in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and, by increasing IgA and IgG expression, also can stimulate potentiation of the immune response involved in passive protection of the body from infection. In contrast, the use of inorganic forms of Zn, in the form of sulfates, can induce local inflammatory processes in the intestines, which, in the case of long-term supplementation, lead to the development of infections.

Effect of different sources and levels of iron in the diet of sows on iron status in neonatal pigs

This study was conducted to determine the effects of maternal dietary supplementation of ferrous glycine chelate (Fe-Gly) and ferrous sulfate monohydrate (FeSO₄·H₂O) on the relative organ weight, tissue iron contents, red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT) in blood, as well as ferritin (Fn), serum iron (SI), and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) in serum of newborn piglets. Forty-five sows (Landrace × Large white, mean parity 3 to 4, no significant differences in BW) were randomly allotted to 9 treatments (n = 5 sows/treatment): control (basal diet with no Fe supplementation), the basal diet supplemented with 50, 80, 110 or 140 mg Fe/kg as Fe-Gly, and the basal diet supplemented with 50, 80, 110 or 140 mg Fe/kg as FeSO₄·H₂O. The neonatal piglets (n = 45) were used to determine the relative organ weight, tissue iron contents and blood biochemical indices. Compared with the control, the relative weight of spleen and kidney were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the Fe-Gly groups. The iron contents in liver, spleen, kidney and femur were also found increased (P < 0.05) in the Fe-Gly groups. The RBC (d 1 and 21), HGB (d 1 and 21) and HCT (d 1 and 21) in blood and Fn (d 1) and SI (d 1 and 21) significantly increased (P < 0.05), but the TIBC (d 1 and 21) in serum decreased (P < 0.05) in the Fe-Gly groups. Moreover, the kidney relative weight, iron content in liver, spleen, kidney and femur, RBC (d 1) and HGB (d 21) in blood, and SI (d 1) in the Fe-Gly groups increased (P < 0.05) compared with the FeSO₄·H₂O treatment. Linear and quadratic responses of the kidney relative weight, the iron content in liver, spleen, kidney and femur, RBC (d 1 and 21), HGB (d 1 and 21) and HCT (d 1 and 21) in whole blood, SI (d 1) and TIBC (d 1 and 21) in the Fe-Gly groups were observed (P < 0.05). Linear responses of Fn (d 1 and 21) and SI (d 21) in the Fe-Gly groups, and spleen relative weight, HCT (d 1), Fn (d 1) and TIBC (d 1 and 21) in the FeSO₄·H₂O groups were observed (P < 0.05). These finding suggest that Fe-Gly supplemented at the level of 110 mg/kg in the diet of sows in this experiment is superior to other forms of supplementation, based on HGB concentration, the relative organ weight, tissue iron contents and blood biochemical indices of piglets.

The effect of feed supplementation with zinc chelate and zinc sulphate on selected humoral and cell-mediated immune parameters and cytokine concentration in broiler chickens

The ability of poultry to withstand infectious disease caused by bacteria, viruses or protozoa depends upon the integrity of the immune system. Zinc is important for proper functioning of heterophils, mononuclear phagocytes and T lymphocytes. Numerous data indicate that the demand for zinc in poultry is not met in Poland due to its low content in feeds of vegetable origin. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of supplementation of inorganic (ZnSO₄ and ZnSO₄⁺ phytase enzyme), and organic forms of zinc (Zn with glycine and Zn with glycine and phytase enzyme) on selected parameters of the cellular and humoral immune response in broiler chickens by evaluating the percentage of CD3⁺CD4⁺, CD3⁺CD8⁺, CD25⁺, MHC Class II, and BU-1⁺ lymphocytes, the phagocytic activity of monocytes and heterophils, and the concentration of IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-α in the peripheral blood. Flow cytometry was used to determine selected cell-mediated immune response parameters. Phagocytic activity in whole blood was performed using the commercial Phagotest kit (ORPEGEN-Pharma, Immuniq, Poland). The results showed that supplementation with zinc chelates causes activation of the cellular and humoral immune response in poultry, helping to maintain the balance between the Th1 and Th2 response and enhancing resistance to infections. In contrast with chelates, the use of zinc in the form of sulphates has no immunomodulatory effect and may contribute to the development of local inflammatory processes in the digestive tract, increasing susceptibility to infection.

Effects of feed supplementation with glycine chelate and iron sulfate on selected parameters of cell-mediated immune response in broiler chickens

Because little is known about the impact of chelated (Fe-Gly, Fe-Gly+F) and inorganic (FeSO4, FeSO4+F) iron products on immune response parameters in broiler chickens, the objective of the study was to determine the effects of inorganic and organic forms of iron on selected parameters of the cell-mediated immune response in broiler chickens by assessing the percentage of CD3(+)CD4(+), CD3(+)CD8(+), CD25(+), and MHC Class II lymphocytes, as well as the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio and IL-2 concentration in the peripheral blood. The experiments were conducted using 50day-old Ross 308 roosters. The test material was peripheral blood. Flow cytometry was used to determine selected cell-mediated immune response parameters. The results obtained indicate that the use of iron chelates in the diet of broiler chickens may stimulate cellular defense mechanisms. As a result of the experiment an increase was observed in the percentage of Th1, mainly T CD4(+) and T CD8(+). It was also noted that application of chelated iron can increase production of T CD8(+) cytotoxic cells and IL-2, which promotes the body's natural response to developing inflammation. There were no changes in T CD4(+), T CD8(+), T CD25(+) or MHC II lymphocyte subpopulations in the chickens following application of the inorganic form of iron.

Effects of iron-glycine chelate on growth, carcass characteristic, liver mineral concentrations and haematological and biochemical blood parameters in broilers

Studies were carried out to determine the effect of additive iron-glycine chelate on the production performance, slaughter yield, mineral deposition in the liver and the metabolic blood panel in broiler chickens. A total of 250 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were allotted into five groups with five replicates of 10 birds each. Diets were supplemented with the organic form iron (Fe-Gly at the rate of 25%, 50% or 100% of the total requirements of the elements) and inorganic Fe (FeSO4 at the rate of 50% or 100%). In the experiment, iron was added to the premix (containing no Fe) in an amount of 40 or 20 mg per kg of basal diet, in groups I and II, in the form of FeSO4 , and in an amount of 40, 20 or 10 mg per kg of basal diet, in groups III, IV and V, in the form of Fe-Gly. The study covering the period from the first to the 42nd day of breeding revealed that the production performance and slaughter yield were not dependent on the form and amount of added Fe. In the experimental groups with the addition of Fe-Gly of 20 or 10 mg/kg, there were no deaths of chickens during the whole fattening period. As a result, introducing an organic form of iron covering 50% and 25% of the birds' requirement increased the effectiveness of chicken fattening (European Efficiency Index) (p < 0.01). An organic Fe compound (40, 20 or 10 mg/kg) added to mixtures contributed to significant changes in the level of biochemical and haematological indicators in blood. The study demonstrated that an addition of Fe-Gly to mixtures for broilers can be fully effective in terms of production and health performance even if the suggested requirement for this element is 50% or 25% covered.

Studies on different iron source absorption by in situ ligated intestinal loops of broilers

The objective of this study was to investigate the iron source absorption in the small intestine of broiler. In situ ligated intestinal loops of 70 birds were poured into one of seven solutions, including inorganic iron (FeSO4, Fe2(SO4)3), organic Fe glycine chelate (Fe-Gly(II), Fe-Gly(III)), the mixtures (FeSO4 with glycine (Fe+Gly(II)), Fe2(SO4)3 with glycine (Fe+Gly(III)), and no Fe source (control). The total volume of 3-mL solution (containing 1 mg of elemental Fe) was injected into intestinal loops, and then 120-min incubation was performed. Compared with inorganic iron groups, in which higher FeSO4 absorption than Fe2(SO4)3 was observed, supplementation with organic Fe glycine chelate significantly increased the Fe concentration in the duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.05), however, decreased DMT1 and DcytB messenger RNA (mRNA) levels (P < 0.05). Organic Fe glycine chelate (Fe-Gly(II), Fe-Gly(III)) increased serum iron concentration (SI), compared with inorganic 3 valence iron groups (Fe2(SO4)3 and Fe+Gly(III)) (P < 0.05); moreover, lower TIBC value was observed for the chelate (P < 0.05); however, mixture of inorganic iron and glycine did not have a positive role at DMT1 and DcytB mRNA levels, SI and Fe concentrations in the small intestine. Those results indicated that the absorption of organic Fe glycine chelate was more effective than that of inorganic Fe, and the orders of iron absorption in the small intestine were: Fe-Gly(II), Fe-Gly(III) > FeSO4, Fe+Gly(II) > Fe2(SO4)3, Fe+Gly(III). Additionally, the simple mixture of inorganic iron and glycine could not increase Fe absorption, and the duodenum was the main site of Fe absorption in the intestines of broilers and the ileum absorbed iron rarely.

Effects of iron glycine chelate on growth, tissue mineral concentrations, fecal mineral excretion, and liver antioxidant enzyme activities in broilers

The study was conducted to determine the effects of iron glycine chelate (Fe-Gly) on growth, tissue mineral concentrations, fecal mineral excretion, and liver antioxidant enzyme activities in broilers. A total of 360 1-day-old commercial broilers (Ross × Ross) were randomly allotted to six dietary treatments with six replications of ten chicks per replicate. Broilers were fed a control diet with no Fe supplementation, while five other treatments consisted of 40, 80, 120, and 160 mg Fe/kg diets from Fe-Gly, and 160 mg Fe/kg from ferrous sulfate, respectively. After a 42-day feeding trial, the results showed that 120 and 160 mg Fe/kg as Fe-Gly improved the average daily gain (P < 0.05) and average daily feed intake (P < 0.05) of broilers (4-6 weeks). Addition with 120 and 160 mg Fe/kg from Fe-Gly and 160 mg Fe/kg from FeSO(4) increased Fe concentration in serum (P < 0.05), liver (P < 0.05), breast muscle (P < 0.05), tibia (P < 0.05), and feces (P < 0.01) at 21 and 42 days. There were linear responses to the addition of Fe-Gly from 0 to 160 mg/kg Fe on Fe concentration in serum (21 days, P = 0.005; 42 days, P = 0.001), liver (P = 0.001), breast muscle (P = 0.001), tibia (P = 0.001), and feces (21 days, P = 0.011; 42 days, P = 0.032). Liver Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activities of chicks were increased by the addition of 80, 120, and 160 mg Fe/kg as Fe-Gly to diets at 42 days. There were no differences in liver catalase activities of chicks among the treatments (P > 0.05). This study indicates that addition with Fe-Gly could improve growth performance and iron tissue storage and improves the antioxidant status of broiler chickens.

Effects of zinc glycine chelate on growth, hematological, and immunological characteristics in broilers

Three hundred sixty healthy Ross x Ross 1-day-old broilers were used to study the effects of zinc glycine chelate (Zn-Gly) on growth performance, hematological, and immunological characteristics. All broilers were randomly assigned into six treatments. Diets were as follows: (1) control (containing 29.3 mg Zn kg(-1) basic diet [0-3 weeks] and 27.8 mg Zn kg(-1) [4-6 weeks]); (2) basic diet plus 30 mg Zn kg(-1) from Zn-Gly; (3) basic diet plus 60 mg Zn kg(-1) from Zn-Gly; (4) basic diet plus 90 mg Zn kg(-1) from Zn-Gly; (5) basic diet plus 120 mg Zn kg(-1) from Zn-Gly; (6) positive control, basic diet plus 120 mg Zn kg(-1) from zinc sulfate (ZnSO(4)). After the 21- and 42-day feeding trials, the results showed that both of Zn-Gly and ZnSO(4) could improve the growth performance of broilers, with the greatest average daily feed intake observed in the broilers fed 90 mg Zn kg(-1) from Zn-Gly, but the greatest average daily gain observed with 120 mg Zn kg(-1) from Zn-Gly (0-3 weeks) and 90 mg Zn kg(-1) from Zn-Gly (4-6 weeks). Adding additional Zn-Gly improved the levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, and IgG) and the contents of total protein and Ca in serum and increased the immune organs index especially with 90 mg Zn kg(-1) as Zn-Gly. However, there were no significant differences in responses to complements (C3 and C4) and albumin in serum among the treatments.