Changes of metabolic parameters, antioxidant capacity, and gut microbiota in response to substitution of ferrous sulfate with iron hydroxy methionine analog chelate in weaned piglets

Results showed that supplementing Fe-HMA as an iron source significantly increased the levels of triglycerides and glucose in portal venous serum, albumin in both serum and portal venous serum and decreased serum low-density lipoprotein level in weaned piglets. Additionally, Fe-HMA supplementation significantly reduced serum and liver malondialdehyde levels, while increasing catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total superoxide dismutase, and manganese superoxide dismutase levels in serum, as well as GSH-Px and CAT levels in the liver. Moreover, Fe-HMA regulated the intestinal microbiota composition, notably increasing the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and decreasing microbes involved in aromatic_compound_degradation. In conclusion, dietary replacing inorganic iron with Fe-HMA improved metabolic parameters and antioxidant capacity, and regulated gut microbiota composition in weaned piglets.