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Zinc Deficiency in the Maternal Rat during Gestation, and Zinc, Iron, Copper, and Calcium Content and Enzyme Activity in Maternal and Fetal Tissues^1,2,

Division of Biological Health, College of Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

The effect of a zinc-deficient diet (0.75 ppm Zn) fed ad libitum to the maternal rat during gestation on zinc, copper, iron, and calcium contents, and activities of succinic dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase, and ceruloplasmin in maternal and fetal tissues was studied. Compared with rats fed 9 ppm Zn, rats fed 0.75 ppm Zn showed the following effects. Feed intake of the maternal rat was reduced beginning at day 17 of fetal age. No anatomical malformations were found in 16- and 22-day-old fetuses. Dry weights of whole animal, body (whole animal less liver and heart), and liver, but not heart, were less in the 22-day-old fetuses. No significant changes were found in minerals and enzymes in maternal and fetal animals at day 16. The following changes were found at day 22. Lactic dehydrogenase activity was not altered in maternal liver, heart, and brain and fetal liver and heart, but was elevated in maternal serum. Succinic dehydrogenase activity was increased in maternal and fetal heart, but unaltered in maternal and fetal liver. Maternal serum ceruloplasmin activity was reduced. Fetal liver zinc was elevated, but copper and iron were reduced. Zinc, copper, and iron were reduced in whole animal and body. The concentration of calcium was higher in whole animal, liver, and body. Calcium was unaltered in fetal heart. Dry matter content was less in liver, adrenals, kidneys, spleen, gastrocnemius muscle, and thymus of the maternal animal. No change occurred in heart, brain, and bone. The concentration of zinc was reduced in liver, heart, and serum. Copper concentration was reduced in kidneys, spleen, and serum. The concentration of iron was lower in brain, spleen, and serum. Calcium concentration was reduced in spleen and brain, but elevated in serum and thymus.

² Supported by Public Health Service Research Grant no. HD-02103 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Manuscript received 23 December 1969.