iron deficiency during pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation in rat

the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of feeding iron-deficient diet during pregnancy and lactation on maternal rats. a total number of 64 rats were divided into 4 groups (pregnant), (non pregnant), (lactating) and (non lactating) with 16 animals in each group. parameters used to evaluate the effects of dietary iron deficiency on the maternal animals were: iron contents of liver and spleen, hematocrit, serum iron and total iron-binding capacity. animals fed the iron-deficient diet during pregnancy had lower levels of iron in their livers and spleens than the control group. iron deficiency during both periods of pregnancy and lactation affected the lactating mothers to a greater degree than a deficiency during pregnancy. hematocrit levels and iron contents of the livers and spleens of these mothers were lower than control group.