Maternal and fetal iron accumulation in Zn-deficient and salicylate-treated rats.

Nonhemoglobin Fe (non Hb-Fe) content in fetal serum and liver is much higher than in maternal serum and liver. After feeding a Zn-deficient diet to pregnant rats from d 0 to 21, non Hb-Fe content in maternal and fetal serum and liver was increased. After oral application of salicylic acid (300 mg/kg) from d 16 to 20 to normally fed and Zn-deficient dams, non Hb-Fe content in maternal and particularly in fetal serum and liver was drastically increased. In the kidney, Fe was accumulated to a small amount resulting from Zn deficiency and salicylate treatment. Fe accumulation in the liver occurred in all cell fractions, particularly in microsomes. Fe accumulation was confirmed and extended histochemically by Prussian blue staining. It is assumed that salicylate increases intestinal Fe resorption and fetal transfer of Fe. It is discussed that salicylate nephrotoxicity and its enhancement by Zn deficiency is not caused by an Fe-dependent mechanism.