PATHOGENIC PROPHYLAXIS AND TREATMENT OF IRON DEFICIENCY IN MAMMALS AND BIRDS

A. Arnaudova-Mate

Abstract: The contribution of iron in drugs and feed additives was used to compensate the deficiency found in mammals and birds, being realized through anemia and disturbance of the oxidative enzymes activity, has been reviewed historically. Iron dioxide was first applied to mammals (suckling pigs) by McGowan and Crichton (1923). Broiler chickens studies were first conducted by Elvehjem and Hart (1929). The drug and feed products with the iron additives are divided into two categories, oral and parenteral. Oral, includes numerous inorganic salts such as those easily soluble in water is preferable, such as ferrous sulphate (heptahydrate) and often in combination with small doses of Cu. Due to the considerable number of disadvantages of the iron inorganic salts, recent studies have made shown progress by introducing substitutes in the form of organic iron complexes (chelates and proteinates). The most widely used parenteral drugs are the ferrodextran complexes, the first being Imferon. It was synthesized in 1954 by Fletcher and London in England. Bulgaria also recognized the importance of ferrodextran complexes development. Iron deficiency is known to be found more often in fast-growing breeds with suckling pigs at higher risk. Broiler chickens however, rarely suffer from iron deficiency anemia despite their rapid growth. The reason is the broiler chickens start eating at an early age feed containing enough iron to meet the growing needs in the hemoglobin synthesis. However, small doses of iron are added to their feed as it is necessary for the broiler chickens’ higher productivity.

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Date published: 2017-02-08