Iron restriction two weeks before conception induces maternal iron deficiency without severe anemia.

<p>A. Hematocrit levels of pregnant rats exposed to an iron-deficient diet two weeks prior to conception (<i>ID -2wks</i>) (red bars) were evaluated at gestational day E15, E17, E19, and E21 and compared to time matched pregnant rats that received a control diet (black bars). <i>CTL</i> pregnant dams: n = 6 for each gestational age; <i>ID -2wks</i> pregnant dams: n = 6 for each gestational age; expressed values are mean ± SEM. <b>B.</b> The serum iron concentrations in iron-deficient diet treated animals (<i>ID -2wks</i>) and control animals (<i>CTL</i>) were determined via atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) at E15, E17, E19, and E21 (<i>CTL</i> pregnant rats: n = 3 for each time point; <i>ID -2wks</i> pregnant rats: n = 3 for each time point; Mean ± SEM, * p<0.001). While there were no significant changes in the hematocrit values between the two groups, iron restricted dams showed significantly lower serum iron concentrations compared to control dams, confirming their iron deficiency (ID) status.