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Effect of Gossypol on the Iron-binding Capacity of Serum in Swine^{1 ,2}

Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP), Guatemala, Central America

The effect of iron and calcium ions, alone and in combination, on the toxicity of gossypol for swine fed cottonseed flour rations, was studied. Weekly data on the performance of the animals were kept for 15 weeks, and blood samples were taken every 15 days and analyzed for hemoglobin, hematocrit, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, total iron-binding capacity and serum iron. The results indicated that, when both chemicals were added to the ration, the animals showed better weight gains and no changes in the hair coat. The addition of calcium alone resulted in low hemoglobin, hematocrit, iron-binding capacity and serum iron levels, but there was no change in the glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase serum levels. Iron supplementation, however, resulted in hemoglobin, hematocrit and iron-binding capacity approaching those of the control group, but the levels of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase were significantly elevated, indicating some liver damage. The addition of both minerals resulted in low levels of the transaminase and hemoglobin, hematocrit and iron-binding capacity levels similar to those obtained with the addition of iron alone. The results suggest that gossypol binds iron, interfering with its absorption, and consequently iron-deficiency anemia develops. The addition of calcium increases the effectiveness of the gossypol-iron complex formation, resulting in full protection from gossypol toxicity, although probably the levels of iron used were not sufficiently high to maintain a normal blood picture.

² INCAP Publication I-420.

Manuscript received 4 April 1967.