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Evaluation of a two-generation rat model for vitamin A deficiency and the interrelationship with iron metabolism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Annet J. C. Roodenburg ,
Clive E. West ,
Robert Hovenier  and
Anton C. Beynen
Annet J. C. Roodenburg
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, Wageningen Agricultural University, Bomenweg 2, 6703 HD Wageningen, The Netherlands Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
Clive E. West
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, Wageningen Agricultural University, Bomenweg 2, 6703 HD Wageningen, The Netherlands Center for Internation Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Robert Hovenier
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, Wageningen Agricultural University, Bomenweg 2, 6703 HD Wageningen, The Netherlands
Anton C. Beynen
Affiliation:
Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract

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In order to induce a range of vitamin A-deficient states in young growing rats and to study the effect of vitamin A deficiency on Fe status, we designed the following two-generation experiment. Dams were fed on diets with one of five vitamin A levels from 2 weeks before and throughout pregnancy and lactation. The pups received the same diets as their mothers both before and after weaning. The five dietary levels of vitamin A were 1200, 450, 150, 75 and 0 retinol equivalents/kg feed. Vitamin A intake did not affect reproduction outcome, nor were body and liver weights of the pups affected when they were 3·5 weeks old. Male pups with normal vitamin A status had higher plasma retinol levels than female pups. Vitamin A status of the offspring was affected from 3·5 weeks onwards. Body and liver weights were decreased in the male pups given the lowest dietary vitamin A levels from week 6·5 onwards but not in the female pups. Fe status was marginally affected. Haemoglobin levels were increased and total Fe-binding capacity was decreased in the groups given no dietary vitamin A at week 9·5. Splenic Fe was increased only in the male pups given the lowest levels of dietary vitamin A. However, as a whole, Fe status was only mildly affected and subject to considerable variation. We conclude that the two-generation rat model described here is not suitable for studying effects of vitamin A deficiency on Fe metabolism.

Keywords

Vitamin AIronRat model
Type
Vitamin A and iron metabolism
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 74 , Issue 5 , November 1995 , pp. 689 - 700
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1995

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