| Abstract: | The effect of dietary iron (ferrous sulfate) concentration on the intake of solutions of sodium saccharin, hydrochloric acid, quinine sulfate, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride was studied. Male Charles River CD weanling rats were divided into four groups and fed semi-synthetic iron-free diets supplemented with either 0, 10, 20 or 40 ppm ferrous sulfate. Using a 48 hour, two-bottle preference test, the rats fed the diet with 0 ppm (added) iron showed significantly higher preferences for sodium chloride and potassium chloride solutions compared with the other three groups. Total fluid intake also increased in rats given the unsupplemented diet. Water intake was not increased in this 0 ppm group when sodium was offered. Blood hemoglobin and hematocrit, serum iron and body weight were lowest in the group with 0 ppm added iron, yet neither adrenal weights nor serum zinc was affected by the dietary iron levels. |
