Iron bioavailability from supplemented formula milk: effect of lactoferrin addition.

Purpose: In this work, the absorption and/or bioavailability of iron from two chemical species, Fe-Lf (apo-lactoferrin) complex and FeSO at low and high dose, and in Lf excess were investigated in lactating wistar rats.

Methods: The methodology used is based on the use of stable isotopes in combination with the approach "isotope pattern deconvolution" and ICP-MS for detection. This approach provides quantitative information about exogenous (Fe) and endogenous iron (Fe) distribution in fluids and tissues in the iron-supplemented rat groups.

Results: The observed results with supplemented rats were compared with those found in rats receiving maternal feeding. Interestingly, differences were found between groups in iron for transport and storage compartments, but not in the functional one, depending upon the dose of iron administered and the chemical species.

Conclusion: Considering the results obtained, supplementation with iron salts in excess of Lf appears to be the best way of iron supplementation of formula milk.