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Iron Deficiency and Its Role in Cadmium-Induced Fetal Growth Retardation¹

Department of Anatomy, University of Sydney, Sydney, N.S.W. 2006, Australia

The aim of this investigation was to establish the relationship of cadmium-induced fetal growth retardation in the mouse to iron deficiency. Pregnant mice were either fed a low iron diet or given 40 ppm cadmium in their drinking water. The effects of these factors on fetal weight and hematological values of the fetuses and dams were established and compared, both with each other and with appropriate controls. Both treatments caused maternal and fetal anemia, the fetuses being more severely affected. The anemic fetuses were also severely growth retarded. These changes, when caused by the iron deficient diet, could be completely prevented by either parenterally or orally administered iron supplements. When the changes were caused by cadmium in the drinking water they were only partially prevented by oral supplements. From these results it was concluded that iron deficiency in pregnancy causes not only anemia but also fetal growth retardation. Cadmium exposure in pregnancy, presumably by blocking intestinal absorption of iron, also causes anemia and hence fetal growth retardation.

KEY WORDS: • cadmium • iron deficiency • anemia • fetal growth retardation

¹ This investigation was supported by a grant from the Australian Tobacco Research Foundation.

Manuscript received 1 June 1978.