Volume 58 (2008) Issue: 2008 No#2-3

The infuence of organic and inorganic Fe supplementation on red blood picture, immune response and quantity of iron in organs of broiler chickens

Author(s): Milanović Svetlana, Lazarević M, Jokić Ž, Jovanović I, Pešut Olivera, Kirovski Danijela, Marinković D

Keywords:broilers, iron, red blood picture, immune response

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of organic and inorganic Fe supplementation on red blood picture, immune response and quantity of iron in organs of broiler chickens. The trial was conducted on 200 "Arbor Acres" chickens randomly alloted in four equal groups. Birds from all groups were fed standard broiler feed, supplemented with 40 mg/kg of Fe originating from different sources: Group I (FeSO4), Group II (Fe bounded to yeast), Group III (ferrous ascorbate) and Group IV (iron chelate). From each group, 10 birds were sacrificed on 21st, 35th and 42nd day and the following parameters were measured: erythrocyte count, hematocrite value, hemoglobin concentration, concentration of nonheme iron in spleen, liver and bone marrow (femur), degree of cutaneous hypersensitivity to PHA and titers of antibodies to Gumboro virus following vaccination. Addition of organic iron supplements resulted in increased erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrite value on the 21st day. Different iron forms did not change the concentration of nonheme iron in the liver on the 21st and 42nd day. On the 35th day, the group supplemented with ferrous ascorbate had lower liver iron concentration. Also, concentrations of nonheme iron in the spleen were lower in groups supplemented with organic iron forms. The concentration of iron in the bone marrow decreased with age and the lowest values were recorded in the ferrous ascorbate supplemented group. The degree of cutaneous hypersensitivity to PHA was higher in groups supplemented with organic iron forms on the 21st and 35th day. Titers of anti-Gumboro antibodies were higher in the group supplemented with iron helate on the 35th day, but later (day 42) no significant differences were observed among groups.