Iron Toxicity in the Young Pig

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Abstract
Four experiments were conducted with 138 early-weaned pigs to determine the toxic dietary iron level and the interrelationship between toxic levels and phosphorus sources. A level of 5,000 ppm iron significantly reduced rate of gain, serum inorganic phosphorus and femur ash. Iron levels of 4,000 ppm resulted in a significant decrease in rate of gain, a slight decrease in serum inorganic phosphorus but failed to reduce femur ash. Pigs fed 0.6% phosphorus, principally as defluorinated rock phosphate, and 5,000 ppm iron developed typical phosphorus deficiency symptoms. Rate of gain was significantly reduced as well as serum inorganic phosphorus and femur ash values. When supplemental phosphorus was supplied by monosodium phosphate, these results were not noted. High iron levels were more toxic at the 0.3% phosphorus level than at either the 0.6 or 1.2% phosphorus levels. When 5,000 ppm iron was added to diets containing different phosphorus sources, pigs receiving rations containing either defluorinated rock phosphate, Curacao Island phosphate or dicalcium phosphate (commercial) had significantly lower serum inorganic phosphorus values. Animals fed either dicalcium phosphate (U.S.P.) or monosodium phosphate maintained very constant values throughout the experiment, while those fed steamed bonemeal or dehydrated dicalcium phosphate did not show significant reductions. Copyright © 1963. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1963 by American Society of Animal Science

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