Nutritional iron-deficiency anaemia of piglets

Martin, W. B (1960) Nutritional iron-deficiency anaemia of piglets. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The literature relating to anaemia of piglets is reviewed. Many controversial finding have been noted. The haematological data recorded are not abundant. Five experiments were conducted using artificial rearing methods and semi-synthetic diets involving a total of 62 piglets. The use of there methods allowed strict control of the iron intake and experimental conditions. The Iron contents of the diets fed to the groups on low iron intake ranged from 2.42 - 4.48 mg. per 100g and were sufficiently low to cause profound haematological changes. Studies were also made on a farm using piglets reared naturally, and a survey taken of the Hb levels of unweaned piglets on 8 farms. Some Investigations were made also into the absorption of a radioactive iron doxtren complex from the intestine of piglets. The haematology of normal and iron-deficient piglets was studied, and parameters established. Significant differences between groups of anaemic and non-anaemic pigs were noted. The Hb. levels for piglets supplied with iron were usually between 9 and 12g%. In anaemic animals values as low as 5 G% were readily produced but lower Hb. levels, of around 3 g%, were loss frequent. The haematocrit values fell in anaemic piglets from the more normal level of around 40 ml.% to below even half this value. The erythrocyte counts were markedly altered only in the more severe anaemias when they fell to about 3 million R.B.Cs. from around, 5 million. The cell size decreased also, as shown by a fall in the M.C.V. and red cell diameter measurements. In contrast little constant change was noted in the M.C.H.C. which remained about 30%. The morphological changes were profound and R.B.Cs. exhibited mainly anisocytosis, with numeprous microcytes and large numbers of red cells with more rings of stained Hb. ("pessary forms"). Except in the more severe cases poikilocytosis was not marked. No regular increase of reticulocytes was noted in anameic piglets. A broad division in serum iron levels could be drawn about the 100-120mug% region below which many anemic pigs fell though inconsistence were not unusual. Parenchymal Iron and copper values were recorded and in the femoral marrow hyperplasia with replacement of the fat cells was exhibited by the iron-deficient piglets. Despite the profound clinical and pathological changes recorded in the literature diarrhoea, dullness, tachypnoea, dyspncea, or tachycardia and unthriftiness were not necessarily associated with the iron-deficiency anaemia and on autopsy no constant alteration, except in the bone marrow, were noted. Pneumonia, hepatitis, cedema and intestinal adhesions were not found in association with uncomplicated iron deficiency. Though some anaemic piglets died, the deaths could be associated with concurrent infections, and no serious mortality was linked with Hb. levels as low as 4g%. It is suggested that many of the changes recorded in this literature as typical of iron deficiency in piglets may have resulted from complicating factors such as cold or infections.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: W L Weipers
• Keywords: Animal sciences
• Date of Award: 1960
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1960-73141
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• Last Modified: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/73141