The effect of iron glycine chelate on tissue mineral levels, fecal mineral concentration, and liver antioxidant enzyme activity in weanling pigs

Twenty-four weaning pigs were used to evaluate the effects of iron glycine chelate (Fe-Gly) on tissue mineral levels, fecal mineral concentration and liver antioxidant enzyme activities of weanling pigs. Pigs were allotted to six treatments based on live weight and litter origin. Treatments consisted of: (1) control (no Fe supplementationl); (2) 30 mg Fe/kg diet from Fe-Gly; (3) 60 mg Fe/kg diet from Fe-Gly; (4) 90 mg Fe/kg diet from Fe-Gly; (5) 120 mg Fe/kg diet from Fe-Gly; (6) positive control, 120 mg Fe/kg diet from ferrous sulphate (FeSO4). Feeding the diets containing Fe-Gly for 40 days resulted in an increased Fe concentration in heart (P<0.05), liver (P<0.05), kidney (P<0.05), spleen (P<0.05) and feces (P<0.01). There were linear responses to the addition of Fe-Gly from 0 to 120 mg Fe/kg Fe on concentration in the liver and kidney. FeSO4 also enhanced heart, liver, spleen and fecal Fe concentration (P<0.05 or P<0.01) compared with the control. Spleen Fe concentration was enhanced (P=0.01) and fecal Fe concentration was little reduced (P=0.09) when pigs were fed with 120 mg Fe as Fe-Gly/kg compared with 120 mg Fe as FeSO4/kg. Linear responses to the addition of Fe-Gly were observed on catalase and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activities. 90 mg Fe as Fe-Gly/kg increased SOD (P=0.02) and SDH (P=0.03) activity compared with the negative control. However, there were no significant differences in pancreas mineral concentration, fecal Cu, Zn and Mn concentration and liver xanthine oxidase activities among the treatments (P>0.05).