Proven ways to boost your business

Studies show Uniferon 200 mg/ml improves weight gain, growth and overall health in piglets

At Pharmacosmos, iron supplementation isn't just about healthy piglets - it's also about helping our customers build healthier businesses through sharing best practices and providing excellent treatment options. The following studies demonstrate a few of the ways Uniferon 200 mg/ml can boost your business and optimize your production management.

Proven ways to boost your business

Table of contents:

1. Proven production benefits from one Uniferon 200 injection
2. Boost weight gain with a second injection in faster-growing piglets
3. Second iron injection alleviates symptoms in PMWS positive herds
4. A comparative study with another brand of iron supplement
5. A comparative study with another brand of iron supplement
6. A comparative study with two iron compounds

1. Proven production benefits from one Uniferon 200 injection

In a recent study in Denmark, 236 piglets received an injection of Uniferon. The result? Just one 200 mg dose ensured a weight gain of 253 g per day from birth through to day 20. On average, the piglets gained 5 kg in their first 20 days of life, resulting in an average total weight per piglet of 6.5 kg at day 201). This is exceptional, even when compared to other published results from trials using different iron sources3).

The study also showed positive results with hemoglobin levels. On day 20, the average hemoglobin level was 7.2 mmol/l (116 g/l), which is much higher than the minimum recommended hemoglobin level (90 g/l).

This trial proves that Uniferon 200 mg/ml brings measurable production benefits to farmers by boosting daily weight gain and increasing hemoglobin levels in piglets. And the Uniferon results are better than Gleptosil's, which show a daily weight gain of 219 g/day in separate trials6). Other common iron treatments, including paste and supplemented drinking water, show even poorer results7).

2. Boost weight gain with a second injection in faster-growing piglets

After numerous studies, it was clear that a single injection of Uniferon 200 mg/ml could significantly boost weight gain in piglets. This raised an important question: could a second injection of Uniferon on day 8-24 provide additional benefits for piglets and for intensive pig production?

The answer is a resounding yes - especially among faster-growing piglets that require even more iron than average-growing or slower-growing piglets. A new study revealed the considerable potential of second Uniferon injection. The trial involved a healthy herd of 236 piglets, randomly split into two groups. One group received a second 200 mg injection of Uniferon on day 20, while the other group did not. The second injection group had higher hemoglobin levels and showed increased daily weight gain from day 34-501). A second injection ensures your faster-growing piglets reach their optimal weight - and your business gets maximum profit at slaughter.

3. Second iron injection alleviates symptoms in PMWS positive herds

A study of 162 piglets in a PMWS positive herd showed that a second injection of Uniferon 200 mg/ml boosted hemoglobin levels and daily weight gain, and alleviated PMWS symptoms. These piglets had a 50 g increase in daily weight gain from day 12-32 post weaning, which corresponds to 1 kg more per piglet compared to an untreated control group (saline injection only)2).

This new research is proof that, even when the hemoglobin level is considered adequate, a second injection results in a higher average growth rate after weaning. And the additional hemoglobin from an extra injection of Uniferon supports an increased growth rate in piglets.

4. A comparative study with another brand of iron supplement

A recent clinical trial4) compared Uniferon and another common iron supplement, Gleptosil. The trial included 102 newborn piglets from 10 litters. After the birth weights were recorded, the piglets were divided into pairs of two in ascending order of birth weight. Within each pair, one piglet was administered Uniferon and the other was given Gleptosil.

The whole group was also divided in two. One group was treated on day 1, while the other was treated on day 3:

• Group one, day 1 treatment: 200 mg of iron (Uniferon) to 27 piglets. 200 mg of iron (Gleptosil) to 27 piglets
• Group two, day 3 treatment: 200 mg of iron (Uniferon) to 19 piglets. 200 mg iron (Gleptosil) to 19 piglets

Researchers weighed the piglets from group one on day 18 and the group two piglets on day 19. The average daily weight was calculated, and a blood sample was taken from each piglet to measure the hemoglobin levels. The results showed that there is no significant difference in average daily weight gain when piglets receive either Uniferon or Gleptosil. Both products can be used with similar efficacy to prevent anemia in piglets.

5. A comparative study with another brand of iron supplement

This study5) compared Uniferon with another brand of iron supplement, Gleptosil. Piglets from 25 litters were randomly divided into four treatment groups and two control groups:

• Uniferon 200 mg iron injected in 50 piglets
• Gleptosil 200 mg iron injected in 50 piglets
• Uniferon 100 mg iron injected in 50 piglets (half the recommended dosage)
• Ferroforte 200 mg iron administered orally (not the recommended method of administration)

Birth weights were recorded and iron was administered on day 2 after birth. Weight was then recorded weekly until the piglets weaned on day 19-21, and then every two weeks after weaning until day 47-49. There was no significant difference in the weight gain of the piglets prior to weaning (N=193, p>0.07), and morbidity rates among the four treatment groups were also similar (p>0.2).

However, packed cell volumes measured at the time of weaning were significantly higher for Uniferon (0.36 l/l) and Gleptosil (0.36 l/l) than compared to the control groups (N=192, p<0.0001). And post-weaning average daily weight gain was significantly higher among the 200 mg Uniferon and Gleptosil piglets (0.87 and 0.86 lb/day respectively) compared to the 100 mg Uniferon and 200 mg iron dextran groups (0.80 and 0.81 lb/day respectively) (N=188, p<0.01).

The conclusion: Uniferon 200 mg/ml and Gleptosil injected into muscle tissue are equally effective in stimulating growth and packed red blood cell volume in newborn piglets.

6. A comparative study with two iron compounds

In a recent clinical trial3), researchers studied piglets from 26 litters to compare treatment with two different iron sources. Within each litter, piglets randomly received one of three treatments: control (no iron), iron dextran (200 mg iron), or gleptoferron (200 mg iron).

Hemoglobin levels were measured on day 0, day 10, day 21 and day 50. Piglets were also weighed at birth, at 3 weeks and at 8 weeks. The piglets that received iron dextran (the ingredient in Uniferon) tended to have higher (p<0.08) hemoglobin levels at day 50 than the control group or the group treated with gleptoferron. Iron-treated piglets were also heavier (p<0.01) than the control group. However, no differences in weight or mortality were observed between the two groups that received iron.

The researchers concluded that there are no differences (p>0.05) between iron sources in terms of body weight at 3 and 8 weeks or in terms of blood or tissue characteristics. The results show that both iron dextran and gleptoferron can be used with similar efficacy for anemia prevention in young pigs.

Read more about how Pharmacosmos can help you stay on top of industry best practices, and share your stories with us