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ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Dietary Prevention of Obesity-related Disease Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #68401
Title: DIETARY IRON: DEFICIENCY OR EXCESS

Author
item SMITH, SCOTT - NASA
item Lukaski, Henry

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/10/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Although the essentiality of iron for animals is well established, there is continued interest in determining the mechanisms of iron absorption and utilization and in defining novel aspects of iron in the regulation of energy metabolism and cognitive function. An important aspect in conducting these studies is the development of well described experimental diets for the induction of graded iron deficiency in laboratory rodents. This manuscript describes in detail the critical dietary components required to prepare purified diets for the development of iron-deficiency and iron-overload in rodent models. A key point is the emphasis on control of the type of dietary fiber used because it represents a considerable source of iron contamination. This information will be useful for basic scientists who seek to conduct controlled feeding studies to induce graded iron nutritional status in laboratory rodents.

Technical Abstract: Although the essentiality of iron for animals is well established, there is continued interest in determining the mechanisms of iron absorption and utilization and in defining novel aspects of iron in the regulation of energy metabolism and cognitive function. An important aspect in conducting these studies is the development of well described experimental diets for the induction of graded iron deficiency in laboratory rodents. This manuscript describes in detail the critical dietary components required to prepare purified diets for the development of iron-deficiency and iron-overload in rodent models. A key point is the emphasis on control of the type of dietary fiber used because it represents a considerable source of iron contamination. This information will be useful for basic scientists who seek to conduct controlled feeding studies to induce graded iron nutritional status in laboratory rodents.