Reticulocyte indices in the diagnosis of iron deficiency in suckling piglets

The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of the reticulocyte indices in the diagnosis of anaemia in piglets. The piglets in group I (n=16) were treated with iron dextran (200 mg of Fe, i.m.) at the age of 16 d. In group II (n=16), piglets at the age of 3 d received 100 mg of Fe and then at the age of 22 d - 200 mg of Fe. The piglets in group III (n=16) received 200 mg of Fe at the age of 3 d. From the 7 d of age, all the piglets had access to creep feed. In group I, there was a decrease in red blood cell indices and the piglets developed anaemia. These piglets had a lower growth intensity compared to piglets of groups II and III. In comparison with Hb, PCV, and RBC, the reticulocyte indices (haemoglobin concentration in reticulocyte and index RET-Y) reflexed more rapidly impaired erythropoiesis and in the case of mild iron deficiency (group II) they reacted more effectively to iron treatment.