Serum and secretory proteins in iron-deficient rat pups and dams

The effects of iron status during reproduction on serum and secretory proteins in rat dams and pups were studied. Pregnant rats were fed ad libitum diets containing 10 or 250 ppm iron throughout gestation and lactation. Litters were adjusted on day 1 to contain 7 pups, and on day 17, dams and pups were sacrificed. Iron status was determined, and concentrations of various serum and secretory proteins were measured. Iron-deficient pups had lower hemoglobin, serum iron, and liver iron compared to controls. Serum albumin and globulin concentrations were significantly increased in iron-deficient pups. Pup serum lysozyme and myeloperoxidase levels were unchanged by iron deficiency. The serum protein profile of dams was relatively unaltered by dietary iron deficiency. Milk iron concentration was significantly decreased in iron-deficient dams; however, milk from all dams was similar in concentration of three immunoproteins measured: lysozyme, peroxidase, secretory IgA. Salivary total protein, lysozyme, and secretory IgA concentrations were similar between groups of dams. It is concluded that dietary iron deficiency during reproduction which does not retard growth of pups but does deplete iron stores has a minimal effect on the secretory immunoproteins measured.