Iron, Copper, and Manganese in Germfree and Conventional Rats

• Published in: The Journal of nutrition Vol. 86; no. 2; pp. 159 - 168
• Main Authors: Reddy, B.S., Wostmann, B.S., Pleasants, J.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.06.1965
• Subjects: Blood Chemical Analysis; Body Weight; Copper; Germ-Free Life; Hematocrit; Hemoglobinometry; Histocytochemistry; Iron - metabolism; Kidney; Liver; Manganese; Metabolism; Old Medline; Organ Size; Rats; Spleen; EXPERIMENTAL LAB STUDY; RATS; COPPER; GERM-FREE LIFE; IRON; SPLEEN; METABOLISM; MANGANESE; BLOOD CHEMICAL ANALYSIS; BODY WEIGHT; HISTOCYTOCHEMISTRY; LIVER; KIDNEY; IRON METABOLISM; ORGAN WEIGHT; HEMATOCRIT; HEMOGLOBINOMETRY
• ISSN: 0022-3166
• DOI: 10.1093/jn/86.2.159

The effects of the microflora on the metabolism of iron, copper, and manganese were studied using germfree and conventional rats of both sexes. Hemoglobin and hematocrit values were similar in both groups, whereas plasma iron and copper levels were slightly but significantly lower in germfree than in conventional rats. The liver of the germfree rat stored more iron than that of the conventional rat, but the spleen, kidneys, and the total body of the germfree rat contained less iron than those of the conventional animal. As expected, the iron levels in females were higher than in males in both experimental groups. The relative proportions of ferritin and hemosiderin iron in the various organs of germfree and conventional rats were comparable. The levels of copper in these organs and in the total body followed the same pattern as the iron levels in germfree and in conventional rats. In contrast with the observations on iron and copper, the concentrations of manganese in the above mentioned organs and in the total body were similar in germfree and conventional rats. The results suggest a lower rate of iron and copper metabolism and a similar rate of manganese metabolism in germfree rats as compared with conventional rats.