Optimal iron fortification of maternal diet during pregnancy and nursing for investigating and preventing iron deficiency in young rhesus monkeys.

Abstract

The realization that pregnant and infant monkeys were challenged by high nutritional needs for iron led vendors to markedly increase iron concentrations in commercial diets. Yet, no systematic research was conducted to investigate the consequences of this important dietary change. Hematology and iron panels were determined for 142 infant rhesus monkeys gestated and reared on 3 different diets varying in iron concentration (180, 225 or 380 mg Fe/kg). Anemia was significantly more prevalent in offspring from females fed the 180 and 225 mg Fe/kg diets (32-41% versus 0 for the 380 mg Fe/kg diet, P<0.001). Higher hepcidin levels were protective against iron overload in infants from the 380 mg Fe/kg condition. These findings indicate a highly fortified diet during pregnancy continues to have postnatal benefits for the growing infant. However, for those interested in iron deficiency, lower iron diets provide a reliable way to generate anemic infant monkeys for research.

• Authors: Christopher L Coe, Gabriele R Lubach, Mark Busbridge, Richard S Chapman
• Journal: Research in veterinary science (Res Vet Sci) Vol. 94 Issue 3 Pg. 549-54 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 1532-2661 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23312499 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Hepcidins
• Iron Compounds

Topics

• Anemia, Iron-Deficiency (blood, prevention & control, veterinary)
• Animal Feed
• Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena (drug effects)
• Animals
• Animals, Newborn (blood)
• Diet (veterinary)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Food, Fortified
• Hepcidins (blood)
• Iron Compounds (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Lactation (drug effects)
• Macaca mulatta
• Male
• Monkey Diseases (blood, prevention & control)
• Pregnancy