Milk Supplemented with Organic Iron Improves Performance, Blood Hematology, Iron Metabolism Parameters, Biochemical and Immunological Parameters in Suckling Dalagh Lambs

SIMPLE SUMMARY: It is known that in early life, newborn lambs are prone to iron deficiency due to the type of placenta and low iron in milk. Hence, the influence of milk supplementation with iron in newborn lambs needs to be investigated. The objective of this study was to elucidate the effect of milk supplemented with organic iron on performance, blood hematology, iron metabolism parameters, together with biochemical and immunological parameters in suckling lambs. Our findings revealed that supplementation of milk with 25 mg/d organic iron could be used effectively as a feed supplement for improving weight gain, promoting health, as well as improving the oxidative status of suckling lambs retained at the plasma level. ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of milk supplemented with organic iron on performance, blood hematology, iron metabolism parameters, biochemical and immunological parameters in suckling lambs. Thirty-six newborn Dalagh lambs were randomly divided into three groups with 12 replications. The control group was fed with milk without organic iron. The other two groups were fed milk supplemented with 25 and 50 mg/d organic iron, respectively. During the experiment, increased daily weight gain and total body weight were observed in the iron-supplemented groups. An increase in the levels of red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular concentration in iron supplemented groups was indicated. Consumption of organic iron caused a significant decrease in plasma copper concentration. Total antioxidant status level was lower, but levels of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were higher in iron supplemented groups. In organic iron supplemented groups, insulin and thyroid hormones levels were significantly increased, and glucose level was significantly decreased. In organic iron supplemented groups, alkaline phosphatase level significantly increased, and aminotransferase level significantly decreased. Overall, the use of organic iron in the milk improved the performance and health in suckling lambs, and since a lower level of supplementation is naturally preferable, supplementation of milk with 25 mg/d organic iron is recommended.