Iron Bioavailability and Absorption Mechanisms in Livestock Nutrition

Iron serves as a critical micronutrient in livestock, underpinning oxygen transport, enzymatic function and immune competence. In monogastric and ruminant species alike, iron enters the enterocyte predominantly as ferrous ion via divalent metal transporter 1 and, following intracellular storage or utilisation, exits through the iron exporter ferroportin. The relative solubility and chemical form of dietary iron—whether inorganic salts, chelated complexes or nanoparticulate formulations—strongly influence its luminal availability and uptake. Organic chelates stabilise iron against dietary antagonists such as phytate, while novel nano-iron preparations can enhance mucosal diffusion and tissue retention. Systemic iron homoeostasis is modulated by hepcidin, which regulates ferroportin turnover in response to iron status and inflammatory signals. Variation in gastrointestinal pH, presence of co-nutrients (vitamin C, amino acids) and antagonistic minerals further shape absorption kinetics. Optimising iron delivery in feed formulations thus requires integration of chemical speciation, transporter biology and regulatory feedback, with direct implications for growth performance, product quality and the global sustainability of animal protein production.

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Iron Bioavailability and Absorption Mechanisms in Livestock Nutrition publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in iron bioavailability and absorption mechanisms in livestock nutrition across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Bioavailability: The proportion of dietary iron that is absorbed and available for metabolic functions.

Chelation: The binding of iron ions to organic ligands, enhancing solubility and protecting against inhibitors.

Divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1): An intestinal membrane protein mediating uptake of ferrous iron into enterocytes.

Ferroportin (FPN1): The only known cellular iron exporter, responsible for transferring iron from enterocytes into the bloodstream.

Transferrin saturation: The ratio of serum iron bound to its transport protein, reflecting systemic iron availability.

References

1. The chemical characteristics of different sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetate sources and their relative bioavailabilities for broilers fed with a conventional corn-soybean meal diet. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology (2024).
2. Efficacy evaluation of novel organic iron complexes in laying hens: Effects on laying performance, egg quality, egg iron content and blood biochemical parameters. Animal Bioscience (2022).
3. The effect of combining green iron nanoparticles and algae on the sustainability of broiler production under heat stress conditions. Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2024).