Korean Journal of Agricultural Science ISSN:2466-2402(Print) 2466-2410(Online) 농업과학연구

A total of 16 sows (average parity = 3.5 ± 0.10, standard deviation = 2.05) and their newborn pigs (Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire], initial body weight 1.53 ± 0.07 kg) were used in a 21-day study. On day 3 of age, piglets along with their dam were divided into two groups: CON and TRT. CON group piglets did not receive any iron injection while, TRT group piglets received 200 mg of injectable iron (GleptoForte) in a single dose. The administration of iron at day-3 of birth improved weaning body weight and overall average daily gain in sucking piglets compared with their control counterparts. For blood criteria, injection of 200 mg of iron improved serum iron values and hematocrit and decreased total iron binding capacity (TIBC) during the day 21 period. In summary, 200 mg iron injection at birth resulted in greater growth performance and blood iron status. These results indicate that providing 200 mg of injectable iron is sufficient to optimize the growth performance and blood iron status of suckling piglets.