Vitamin B12 Supplementation to Mink (Mustela vison) in the Prevention of Feed-Induced Iron Deficiency Anaemia: II. Effect on Haematological Parameters and Mineral Content of the Liver

An effect of oral vitamin B-12 administration on growth performance and fur quality characteristics in mink kits fed an anaemiogenic diet has earlier been found. The present data confirmed that kits fed the unsupplemented anaemiogenic diet developed anaemia with low haemoglobin, haematocrit and erythrocyte counts, microcytosis, anisocytosis, and low iron and cobalt contents in the liver. Oral vitamin B-12 supplementation, but not injections, partly restored iron status, documented by haemoglobin and haematocrit values not being significantly different from the control group, and increased liver cobalt content. Iron therapy alone or combined with vitamin B-12 resulted in normal iron status. A mechanism for the effect of vitamin B-12 in preventing anaemia is suggested.