Things You Didn’t Know About Anemia and Blood-Boosting in Animals!

According to relevant literature, in countries including Denmark and the United States, 70% of pig farms experience anemia; in China, this figure rises to 95%. Moreover, subhealth conditions in many animals are closely associated with anemia. Research indicates that... Due to anemia, a sow farm with a thousand sows suffers annual economic losses as high as 2 to 3 million yuan.

Next, we’ll analyze the functions and roles of the most important component in blood—red blood cells—helping us better understand the causes of anemia as well as the principles behind its prevention and improvement.

♦ Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, are commonly abbreviated as RBC in routine laboratory tests. They are the most abundant type of blood cell and serve as the primary carrier of oxygen throughout the body in vertebrates via the bloodstream. Additionally, they play an important role in immune defense.

♦ Mature red blood cells in mammals are enucleated, meaning they have lost their DNA.

♦ Red blood cells also lack mitochondria; they generate energy by metabolizing glucose.

♦ It transports oxygen and also carries a portion of carbon dioxide. When transporting carbon dioxide, it appears dark purple; when transporting oxygen, it appears bright red.

Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow.

♦ Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and initially develop within white blood cells.

♦ After red blood cells age, they tend to cause vascular blockages, so they automatically return to the deep regions of the bone marrow, where white blood cells are responsible for their destruction. Alternatively, as they pass through the liver, they are broken down by Kupffer cells into bile.

I. The Transport Function of Red Blood Cells

The function of red blood cells is to transport oxygen, carbon dioxide, electrolytes, glucose, and substances essential for the body’s metabolic processes, as well as waste products that the body excretes. In addition, they also play a certain buffering role in maintaining acid-base balance. Both of these functions are accomplished through the components within red blood cells. Hemoglobin To be realized.

II. The Immune Function of Red Blood Cells

Currently, it is known that red blood cells possess the following immune functions:

1. Identify antigen carriers;

2. Remove immune complexes from the circulation;

3. Enhance T-cell-dependent responses;

4. Effector cell-like action;

5. Promote phagocytosis.

3. Enhance phagocytosis

Nelson conducted in vitro experiments using Streptococcus pneumoniae and Treponema pallidum and found that pneumococci or treponemes sensitized by their respective antibodies could be rapidly phagocytosed and completely disappear from the liquid phase in 80% to 95% of cases only when the mixture contained complement, red blood cells, and white blood cells. In contrast, if red blood cells were absent, only a small fraction of these organisms would be phagocytosed even after an extended period.

Immune adherence can enhance phagocytosis by a factor of 4 to 5.

In 1956, Nelson again injected antibody-opsonized pneumococci into monkeys and obtained results identical to those from in vitro experiments: 100% of the pneumococci adhered to red blood cells. The adherent complexes were phagocytosed more readily than the complexes that remained freely suspended in plasma. Certain viruses can also adhere to red blood cells in vivo, thereby being phagocytosed and eliminated.

Red blood cells can also prevent cancer cells from spreading in the circulation, since in peripheral blood, cancer cells are 500 to 1,000 times more likely to encounter red blood cells than white blood cells. When antibodies and complement are bound to the surface of cancer cells, these cells can adhere to red blood cells via C3b receptors on the red blood cell surface. As a result, cancer cells become easily captured and phagocytosed by phagocytic cells, thereby inhibiting cancer cell metastasis and dissemination.

IV. Phagocytic-like Function

Red blood cells also exhibit phagocytic-like functions and possess peroxidase on their cell membrane surface. This enzyme is a typical lysosomal enzyme that can exert a macrophage-like cytotoxic effect.

Here is a summary of red blood cells:

Hemoglobin, also known as hematin, is the main component of red blood cells. Hemoglobin provides a better indication of the severity of anemia.

♦ Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein that appears red. It is composed of globin and heme, a ferrous porphyrin complex. Hemoglobin readily binds to oxygen in areas with high oxygen concentrations and easily releases oxygen in areas with low oxygen concentrations. This property of hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry and transport oxygen throughout the body.

♦ In addition to transporting oxygen, red blood cells can also carry some carbon dioxide from tissue cells.

Composition and Function of Hemoglobin:

♦ Hemoglobin can temporarily bind to oxygen molecules in the lungs or gills; within this molecule, Fe ²⁺

At high oxygen partial pressures, hemoglobin binds with oxygen to form oxyhemoglobin (HbO2); at low oxygen partial pressures, it releases oxygen to tissues throughout the body, becoming deoxygenated hemoglobin. In this way, hemoglobin fulfills its function of transporting oxygen.

♦ Hemoglobin can also transport carbon dioxide produced by the body (less than 2% of the total oxygen volume; more carbon dioxide is handled by the plasma).

♦ Fe in hemoglobin ²⁺ Such as oxidation to Fe ²⁺ When hemoglobin is converted to methemoglobin, it loses its ability to carry oxygen.

♦ Hemoglobin has an affinity for carbon monoxide that is 210 times greater than its affinity for oxygen. When the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air rises, hemoglobin binds to carbon monoxide instead of oxygen, thereby losing its ability to transport oxygen. This can be life-threatening and is known as carbon monoxide poisoning (or gas poisoning).

Each heme molecule consists of four subunits, each of which contains a heme group and a polypeptide linked to the heme group. The polypeptide within the heme is called globin, and each heme group contains an iron atom that can bind to one oxygen molecule. Therefore, a single heme molecule can bind up to four oxygen molecules.

The role of hemoglobin in the body—transport function

Hemoglobin is found in the bodies of higher organisms. Responsible for transporting oxygen A protein that gives blood its red color. Hemoglobin consists of four polypeptide chains—two α chains and two β chains—each of which contains a heme group with an iron atom at its center. Oxygen binds to the iron atom. , transported by the blood.

Diagram of cellular respiration:

What is anemia?

Anemia is defined as a condition in which the number of red blood cells and the hemoglobin content decrease to a certain extent.

The composition of the organism:

Hemoglobin and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) ²⁺ )

Determines the pig’s disease resistance and production performance.

Why do people get anemia?

Anemia is primarily classified into four categories:

1. Hemorrhagic anemia: Severe bleeding, chronic bleeding;

2. Aplastic anemia: Liver, bone marrow, and thymus damage;

3.  Nutritional anemia: Protein, Fe ²⁺ · Folate and vitamin B12 deficiency;

4. Anemia of disease: Erythrocytic inclusion bodies;

♦ Iron required by animals is generally supplied through feed. In nature, iron typically exists in the form of ferric iron (trivalent iron), which animals cannot absorb or utilize. Although ferrous sulfate added to feed is divalent iron, it tends to oxidize easily into ferric iron. Moreover, oxalates, phytates, and excessive phosphate levels in feed can readily combine with iron to form insoluble iron salts, all of which hinder the absorption and utilization of iron from the feed.

♦ Ferrous sulfate is an inorganic form of iron, and animals can digest and absorb only 3% to 10% of it. Excessive amounts of ferrous sulfate should not be added, as too much of it can impair the digestion and absorption of other trace elements and even oxidize vitamins, leading to vitamin deficiencies. Moreover, excessive intake of ferrous sulfate can cause iron toxicity.

♦ Pigs are omnivores. Intensive pig farming deprives pigs of the opportunity to consume green plants, yet chlorophyll—rich in chlorophyll iron sodium and various chlorophyll derivatives—can effectively address iron-deficiency anemia.

Manifestations of porcine anemia—subhealth

Symptoms of anemia in sows:

♦ Uterine contractions are weak, labor is prolonged, and stillbirth rates are increasing.

♦ Piglets have low, uneven, and poor vitality at birth;

♦ Piglet survival rate in the farrowing house is low;

♦ Postpartum uterine recovery is slow, and estrus-to-breeding rate declines, affecting reproduction. Reduced capability and shortened service life.

Signs of anemia in piglets:

♦ Poor mental state, weakened immunity and disease resistance, and increased susceptibility to illness.

♦ Pale skin, rough and dull coat, loss of appetite, growth. Developmental delay;

♦ Prone to diarrhea, poor uniformity, and susceptible to dead piglets;

♦ Anemia, weakness, irregularity, and high mortality rate.

Manifestations of anemia in growing and fattening pigs:

♦ Poor resistance and prone to illness;

♦ Growth and development are delayed, and feed utilization efficiency is reduced.

♦ Flesh-colored and of poor texture, prone to developing PSE meat;

♦ A poor appearance is detrimental to sales.

The Scientific Choice of Blood-Boosting Supplements

Misconceptions about anemia: Is anemia simply iron deficiency, and does supplementing iron equate to replenishing blood?

To produce red blood cells, several essential substances are required, among which... Should include:

✔ Iron — Fe ²⁺

✔ Amino acids (collagen—donkey-hide gelatin)

✔ Folic acid

✔ Vitamin B12.

Let’s take another look at the main ingredients of Xilaigao Animal Health Products Co., Ltd. of Hunan, which is developed and produced by the company:

The History of E Jiao:

Ejiao originated in the Qin and Han dynasties and has a history of over 2,000 years to this day. It is a traditional premium tonic and blood-nourishing product made primarily from donkey hide, using water from the A Well as its key ingredient (gels boiled without A Well water are referred to as donkey-hide gels or donkey gels). Ejiao originally came from the ancient county of Dong’a in Shandong Province (today’s Atown in Yanggu County, near the ancient A Well). The finest varieties have an amber hue, are transparent, and are odorless. It is also known as donkey-hide gel—collagen.

Ejiao nourishes the blood, enriches yin, moistens dryness, and stops bleeding. It is used for symptoms such as blood deficiency with pallor, dizziness and palpitations, irritability and insomnia, and dryness of the lungs causing cough.

The present invention discloses a method for co-producing organic compounds while preparing collagen membranes, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

1. Raw material processing;

2. Preparation of chicken fat;

3. Two-step enzymatic hydrolysis;

4. Prepare soluble calcium powder;

5. Prepare the composite solution;

6. Prepare protein membranes;

This invention employs a two-step composite enzymatic hydrolysis technique to enhance the quality of collagen. During the enzymatic hydrolysis process, an enzyme-protecting agent is added to ensure the superior quality of the final product. Furthermore, calcium from chicken bones is activated using citric acid to prepare soluble calcium, thereby significantly improving its bioavailability and absorption rate. By incorporating dialdehyde starch, the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and moisture resistance of collagen are markedly improved. The resulting collagen is easily biodegradable and exhibits excellent environmental performance. The production process is clean, green, and pollution-free, with no wastewater discharged, thus achieving the comprehensive and clean utilization of chicken bones.

Has the effect of strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi.

“The spleen is the foundation of postnatal life and the source of the generation and transformation of qi and blood. Qi and blood are mutually generated and interdependently rooted; therefore, when tonifying blood, one must first tonify qi. The generation and transformation of qi and blood also rely on the spleen’s function of transporting and transforming food. Moreover, many blood-tonifying substances are sticky and greasy, which can hinder absorption. Thus, strengthening the spleen and tonifying qi not only nourishes the spleen but also unblocks stagnation and facilitates absorption. Consequently, simultaneously tonifying both qi and blood while strengthening the spleen and aiding its transportation—without causing stagnation—is the fundamental principle underlying TCM’s approach to treating blood deficiency, and it also serves as the general guideline for modern TCM in improving anemia, permeating every stage of treatment.”

Blood Source Kang usage effects

1. Sow stage:

✔ Shorten the duration of labor (by about 1 hour), reduce the incidence of dystocia and stillbirth. Shorten the interval between weaning and estrus.

✔ Significantly enhances iron stores in newborn piglets.

✔ Significantly improves piglet birth weight, uniformity, and vitality.

✔ Increase the iron content in breast milk to enhance piglets' disease resistance.

✔ Promote rapid uterine recovery in sows and improve estrus and mating rates.

2. Piglet stage:

✔ Replenish the protein and iron needed for rapid growth and development, tonify the spleen, and strengthen vital energy. Prevent and control anemia in piglets, as well as immune decline and spleen deficiency caused by overfeeding.

✔ The piglets have good vitality, strong disease resistance, and rapid growth and development.

✔ Supplement with nutrients such as iron and zinc for red skin and shiny, lustrous fur.

✔ Improve feed conversion ratio, increase daily weight gain, and reduce the feed-to-meat ratio.

3. Growth and Fattening Stage:

✔ Improve uniformity of the pig herd and promote rapid growth.

✔ Improve feed utilization and reduce the feed-to-meat ratio.

✔ The meat is of high quality and has a bright red color, resulting in excellent carcass quality.

Xueyuan Kang can also enhance the libido of boars. And semen quality, too!

Blood Source Kang Effect Demonstration:

Hemoglobin detector

Experiment on the Effect of Xueyuan Kang Feeding on Sow on Piglet Body Weight:

The effect of Xueyuan Kang on iron content in sow colostrum and placenta:

Usage and Dosage of Xueyuan Kang:

1. Add 1 kg per ton to the sow herd throughout the entire period;

2. Piglets: 0.5 kg/ton, added throughout the entire rearing period;

3. For growing and fattening pigs, add 0.5–1 kg per ton throughout the entire rearing period;

Mix the ingredients thoroughly.

Xueyuan Kang takes a two-pronged approach, achieving remarkable results with minimal effort—addressing both iron-deficiency anemia and anemia caused by insufficient hemoglobin. It tackles the root causes to enhance pigs’ disease resistance and improve their production performance.