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Elevated concentrations of organic and inorganic forms of iron in plant-based diets for channel catfish prevent anemia but damage liver and intestine, respectively, without impacting growth performance

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Abstract

We compared the effects of using inorganic and organic forms of iron in plant-based diets on catfish performance in a feeding trial with 6-g catfish fingerlings. The objective was to determine whether dietary iron in excess of known requirements negatively affected the fish. Five diets supplemented with 0 (basal), 125, 250 mg Fe/kg of either FeSO4 or iron methionine were formulated. Weight gain, feed conversion ratio, hepatosomatic index, and survival were similar among diets. Plasma and intestine iron concentration was similar among diets. Whole-body total lipid, protein, and dry matter were similar among diets, while ash content was higher in fish fed the basal diet. Total liver iron concentration was higher in fish fed diets supplemented with 250 mg Fe/kg in both iron forms than other diets. Hematological parameters were similar among treatments. Liver necrosis, inflammation, and vacuolization were highest in fish fed the diet supplemented with 250 mg Fe/kg from organic iron, followed by those fed diets with 250 mg Fe/kg from inorganic iron. Inorganic iron-supplemented diets caused more intestinal inflammation (increased inflammatory cells, villi swelling, thicker lamina propria) than the organic iron-supplemented diets or basal diet. Organic iron at 250 mg/kg resulted in a $0.143/kg increase in feed cost. Latent iron deficiency and initial signs of anemia developed in catfish fed the basal diet. Supplemental iron from either form prevented iron deficiency. Organic iron at 125 mg/kg optimized fish performance at a cost comparable to that of fish fed other diets, but without overt negative effects.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

I thank Lin Xie, Rudy Nugroho, Gnanender Sriramoju, and Nathan Egnew for their assistance with various parts of the project. I also extend my sincere thanks to Zinpro, Inc., for donating the organic iron for this project.

Funding

This work was supported by a grant from the Arkansas Research Alliance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 1200 N. University Drive, Pine Bluff, AR, USA

    Isaac Buyinza, Rebecca Lochmann, Amit K. Sinha, Michele Thompson, Nicholas Romano & Grace Ramena

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  1. Isaac Buyinza
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  2. Rebecca Lochmann
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  3. Amit K. Sinha
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  4. Michele Thompson
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Contributions

Isaac Buyinza and Rebecca Lochmann designed and conducted the experiment, data analysis, reviewing and editing the manuscript. Rebecca Lochmann secured funding for the study. Michele Thompson assisted with feeding trial maintenance and nutritional analysis of samples. Amit Sinha directed the student in iron analysis and also reviewed and edited the manuscript. Nicholas Romano conducted/interpreted the histopathological analysis, assisted with data analysis and reviewed/edited the manuscript. Grace Ramena assisted with interpretation of hematological data and reviewed/ edited the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Rebecca Lochmann.

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Buyinza, I., Lochmann, R., Sinha, A.K. et al. Elevated concentrations of organic and inorganic forms of iron in plant-based diets for channel catfish prevent anemia but damage liver and intestine, respectively, without impacting growth performance. Fish Physiol Biochem 49, 289–305 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-023-01183-8

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