Iron Metabolism and Storage Disorders in Wildlife

Iron is an essential micronutrient across vertebrate species, serving as a cofactor in oxygen transport, energy production and enzymatic reactions. In free-ranging wildlife, iron homeostasis relies on finely tuned processes of intestinal absorption, mobilization by transferrin and safe intracellular storage in ferritin. Disruption of these controls can lead to iron overload disorders, characterised by excessive deposition of iron complexes (hemosiderin) in liver, spleen and other organs, provoking oxidative damage, inflammation and organ dysfunction. In managed populations—from zoo-housed rhinoceroses to captive passerines—dietary composition, genetic predispositions and environmental stressors often amplify iron accumulation. Understanding the interplay of regulatory hormones such as hepcidin, the dynamics of labile plasma iron and the resultant oxidative stress is critical for early diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and conservation management. Advances in non-invasive biomarkers, nutritional adjustments and chelation strategies now inform evidence-based protocols aimed at preventing morbidity and ensuring the welfare and longevity of vulnerable species.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Analyses of mineral composition in rhinoceros horn have revealed measurable concentrations of essential and potentially toxic metals in contaminant-free core samples. Variations in colour and depth of specimens correspond to differing levels of zinc, copper, lead and other elements, offering a novel bioindicator of systemic mineral status. These findings open avenues for non-invasive monitoring of iron and co-factor dynamics in threatened ungulates and underscore the limited risk posed by horn-derived by-products to human consumers.

Iron Metabolism and Storage Disorders in Wildlife publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in iron metabolism and storage disorders in wildlife across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Iron homeostasis: The regulated balance of iron uptake, transport, storage and recycling.

Hepcidin: A liver-derived hormone that controls intestinal iron absorption and release from macrophages.

Ferritin: An intracellular protein complex that safely stores iron in a non-toxic form.

Hemosiderin: An aggregated form of iron storage granules, indicative of tissue iron overload.

Iron overload disorder (IOD): A pathological condition marked by excessive iron deposition in organs.

Labile plasma iron (LPI): The redox-active fraction of circulating iron that can participate in free radical generation.

Oxidative stress: Cellular damage arising from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defences.

References

1. Rhinoceros horn mineral and metal concentrations vary by sample location, depth, and color. Scientific Reports (2024).
2. Practical Management of Iron Overload Disorder (IOD) in Black Rhinoceros (BR; Diceros bicornis). Animals (2020).
3. Inflammatory and oxidative status in European captive black rhinoceroses: A link with Iron Overload Disorder?. PLOS ONE (2020).
4. Rhinoceros serum labile plasma iron and associated redox potential: interspecific variation, sex bias and iron overload disorder disconnect. Conservation Physiology (2022).