Effects of hydroxy methionine analog iron chelate on growth performance, blood parameters, and iron metabolism in weaned piglets

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary hydroxy methionine analog iron chelate (Fe-HMA) as an iron source on the growth performance, blood parameters, and iron metabolism of weaned piglets. A 28-day trial was conducted using 120 weaned piglets that were randomly allocated to two treatment groups with different iron sources. The Fe-sulfate group received a diet containing 100 mg Fe/kg in the form of ferrous sulfate, while the Fe-HMA group received a diet with 50 mg Fe/kg in the form of Fe-HMA. Fe-HMA, as an iron source, did not significantly affect growth performance, but improved iron apparent digestibility and tissue deposition compared with the Fe-sulfate group. Additionally, Fe-HMA significantly enhanced erythrocyte-related indicators and regulated the serum iron metabolism markers. It also upregulated the relative expression of the iron metabolism-related genes ferroportin1 (FPN1) in the duodenum and hepcidin antimicrobial peptide (HAMP), ferritin light chain (FTL), and transferrin (TF) in the liver, while downregulating transferrin receptor (TFRC) expression in the liver. Replacing dietary inorganic iron with HMA-chelated iron improved iron metabolism in weaned piglets, suggesting its potential as an effective alternative source of iron in porcine nutrition.