Iron, Copper, and Cobalt

What percentage of iron is found in the form of hemoglobin?

70%

Most Fe is found ________ in the body.

Organically bound

What is the main route in which iron is secreted? What about other routes?

• Urine

• Small amount excreted along with bile pigments of hemoglobin metabolism

When will iron be absorbed?

Iron only absorbed when the body becomes deficient

Once iron is absorbed, what is the storage site?

The liver with lesser amounts present in the spleen and bone marrow

What are the 5 factors influencing iron absorption?

1. Acid condition

2. Adequate dietary protein

3. histidine and lysine (most important) chelate (ligand bond) Fe for absorption

4. Body’s need

5. Low physic acid level in diet

Iron can be stored up to _________ in piglets.

3 weeks

How doe a low physic acid level in the diet affect iron absorption?

Increases iron absorption since it will bind to iron, making it unavailable for the body to absorb

How do catalases work?

Catalases use an iron-containing heme group as a central cofactor to break down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen

How do peroxidases activate?

The enzymes iron atom is typically in the ferric state and is coordinated by a porphyria ring and a proximal histidine residue

What is cytochrome C?

A small heme protein found in the mitochondria, crucial in cellular respiration.

What are peroxidase?

A large group of enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of organic and inorganic molecules using hydrogen peroxide

What are the signs of an iron deficiency in pigs?

Lethargic, wrinkled skin, and paleness

What are the 4 broad causes of anemia?

1. Pathological

2. Hemorrhagic (acute and chronic) blood loss

3. Hereditary

4. Nutritional

What are the 3 cell sizes?

1. Normocytic

2. Macrocytic

3. Microcytic

What is normocytic?

Normal RBC size

What is macrocytic?

RBC larger than normal size

What is microcytic?

RBC smaller than normal size

What are the 3 hemoglobin concentrations (color index)?

1. Hormochromic

2. Hypochromic

3. Hyperchromic

What is normochromic?

RBC are normal color

What is hypochromic?

RBC are pale; subnormal

What are hyperchromic RBC?

RBC are darker/above than normal

What are the classifications of a RBC in presence of a hemorrhage?

Normocytic and normochromic anemia

What is a hemorrhage?

Excessive bleeding from a blood vessel, internal or external bleeding

What is anemia?

Blood disorder characterized by a deficiency of healthy red blood cells which reduces the bloods ability to carry oxygen

How does anemia result?

If RBC are not renewed at rate they are destroyed, or if the increase in cell numbers required to enlarge the blood supply with growth doesn’t occur

What is the life span of RBC?

Average of 127 days (50-150)

How would you classify a RBC under iron-deficiency anemia conditions?

Hypochromic and microcytic (Normochromic and microcytic have been reported in calves)

Iron deficiency anemia in a suckling pig kept on concentrate found that the liver stores for approximately _________.

3 weeks

What animals is iron deficiency anemia not typically found in?

Young ruminants and horses

Why do chickens need a high level of iron?

Due to the high amount of iron deposited in eggs

Copper plays an important role in hemoglobin synthesis because it acts as a:

catalyst

Copper plays a role in RBC ______.

Maturation

What is the name of the disulfide amino acid?

Cystine