Increase of the intestinal iron absorption in growing rats and mice after 8 days of iron-deficient feeding.

In investigations of intestinal iron absorption the combination of repetitive bleeding and iron-deficient feeding is frequently used. It induces iron deficiency which, in turn, stimulates iron absorption. When this combined procedure was compared with the effect of an 8 d iron-deficient feeding schedule in growing rats, no significant differences were found regarding the stimulating effect on intestinal iron transfer. Body iron stores, however, as represented by the hepatic ferritin and iron content are remarkably less depleted. Contrary to the effect of the combined procedure the animals growth was only marginally retarded and anaemia did not develop. This was also demonstrated in mice. The stimulation of intestinal iron absorption by iron-deficient feeding of growing animals thus seems preferable, as this procedure largely avoids the disturbing side effects observed with repetitive blood sampling.