Iron

IRON

Sources

  • Soil ; Myoglobin
  • Enzymes -Cytochrome, catalases, peroxidases

Absorpton of iron

  • Ferrous form is more readily absorbed
  • Acids pH increases absorption
  • Phosphorus and phytic acid along with iron forms insoluble complexes
  • Copper increases absorption of Iron
  • Mucosal block in intestine

Storage

  • Liver, spleen, bone marrow, skeletal muscle

Deficiency diseases - Causes

  • Piglet anemia - Microcytic hypochromic anemia
    • Baby pigs rasied on cement floors
    • Sow’s milk deficient in iron
    • Malabsorption due to diarrhoea
    • Infested with blood sucking parasites
    • Iron deficiency → Folic acid deficiency
    • Decreased phagocytic activity of neutrophils
  • Excess of iron
    • Haemochromatosis (Accumulation of iron in liver)
Last modified: Friday, 23 March 2012, 5:30 AM