Objective: To explore the effect of low-iron intervene in pregnant rat on hematologic parameters of its offspring in adulthood.
Methods: Wistar female rats at the age of six weeks were divided into two groups randomly: experimental group were feeded with low-iron diet, control group were feeded with iron-sufficient diet. They were mated with healthy male rats after four weeks and the iron intervention were carried out until the lactation period end. Iron-sufficient diet were then given to all rats for ten weeks and this period were called iron balancing period. After that control group and experimental group were divided into two groups respectively and all the rats were killed to detect Hb, RET, RDW, FEP, SI, SF, TIBC et al after sixteen weeks.
Results: Iron intervention in pregnant rats resulted in the iron deficiency of their offspring. In comparison with control group, Hb and RET of the offspring whose mother feeded with low-level iron diet in pregnancy were significantly elevated after four and six weeks in intervention again. While TIBC were also higher than those of control when intervention period was ended.
Conclusion: Iron deficiency during pregnant rats produce long-dated affect on iron intake of their offspring in growth phase and adulthood, but it did not show stronger capability of anti-anemia than control rats.