Therapeutic Efficiency of Gleptoferron and Iron Dextran on Iron-Deficient Anemia in Piglets

The therapeutic efficiency of gleptoferron and irno dextran for iron deficient anemic piglets was investigated using 24 animals weighning approximetly 9 kg.An iron-deficient diet (33 ppm) was given to 18 experimental piglets. Six control piglets were fed this diet with addition of 200 ppm ferrous fumarate. On the 21st day of experiment, the experimental piglets were divided equally into three groups, an untreated, a gleptoferron (Fe-200mg)-added and an iron dextran (Fe-200mg)-added.Blood samples were obtained from the anterior vena cava at one-week intervals. Red blood cell conut (RBC), hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), serum iron concentration (SI) and serum ferritin concentration (Fr) decreased linearly and the clinical signs of iron deficiency appeared in the experimental animals, but not in the controls.After the gleptoferron administration, RBC, Hb and Fr increased rapidly. RBC, Hb, SI and Fr were remarkable higher in value in the gleptoferron than in the untreated group. After the iron dextran administration, RBC and Hb increased, but the elevation of Ht and SI was not so evident as after the gleptoferron administration.It was demonstrated that gleptoferron was more efficient than iron dextran in iron absorption and utilization.