Effects of iron and vitamin E administration on some immunological parameters in pigs

The effects of intramuscular administration of iron and vitamin E on phagocytic functions of leucocytes and on T-lymphocyte percentages were studied. Twelve pigs with an average body weight (BW) of 40 kg were divided into four treatment groups: +E (20 mg tocopheryl acetate per kg BW); +Fe (10 mg iron dextran per kg BW); +E/+Fe (20 mg tocopheryl acetate + 10 mg iron dextran per kg BW), C (control). Blood samples were collected from the sinus ophthalmicus prior to administration the preparations, and then at 12, 24, 48, 72 hours, and 7 days after administration. The iron injection led to a significant increase (p < 0,05) in plasma iron concentrations in both groups given Ferridextran. An evaluation of the immunological parameters showed the greatest rise in T-lymphocyte percentages as well as in metabolic activity of phagocytes (tetrazolium reduction) in vitamin E treated groups (+E, +E/+Fe) within 24 hours after injection. No interactive effects between vitamin E and iron on the immunological parameters studied were found.