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Suckling copper‐deficient mice and rats exhibit opposite changes in plasma iron, different impacts on brain iron concentration, but both exhibit severe anemia
Author(s) -
Pyatskowit Joshua W,
Nelson Kyle T,
Gybina Anna A,
Prohaska Joseph R
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a163-c
Subject(s) - hemoglobin , endocrinology , medicine , anemia , ceruloplasmin , copper , chemistry , gestation , iron deficiency anemia , biology , pregnancy , genetics , organic chemistry
Mammalian iron (Fe) homeostasis is dependent on copper (Cu). Brain Fe levels are lower in Cu‐deficient (Cu‐) rat pups even after transcardial perfusion to remove blood Fe ( J. Neurochem . 93 : –703, 2005). To confirm and extend this observation pups born to outbred albino mouse and Holtzman rat dams fed a Cu‐ diet and given either Cu supplemented (Cu+) or deionized water were studied. Plasma ceruloplasmin oxidase activity was absent in both Cu‐ mouse and rat pups born and nursed by Cu‐ dams starting on treatment at gestation day 17 or 7, respectively. Plasma Fe was 66% lower in Cu‐ postnatal age 14 (P14) rat pups and 83% lower at P21 compared to Cu+ rat pups. At P21 rat brain Fe was 24% lower in Cu‐ than Cu+ pups. Hemoglobin was lower by 28%. Hemoglobin in Cu‐ P27 mouse pups was 58% lower than Cu+ but, surprisingly, plasma Fe was not lower nor was brain Fe affected. In a second mouse study, P27 Cu‐ pups following only lactational Cu deficiency also had severe anemia, 71% lower hemoglobin but no change in brain Fe: 10.8 ± 0.37 μg/g (n=6) for Cu‐ compared to 10.2 ± 0.41 for Cu+. Plasma Fe was significantly higher not lower in Cu‐ mouse pups: 3.80 ± 0.35 μg/mL compared to 2.09 ± 0.24 for Cu+ pups. We conclude that reduction in brain Fe in Cu‐ rats is likely due to lower plasma Fe. Furthermore, anemia of Cu deficiency in mice is not related to low plasma Fe. Supported in part by NIH HD‐39708.