title: Use of EDTA to produce zinc deficiency in the pregnant rat.
abstract: The effectiveness of EDTA in reducing the endogenous zinc supply in pregnant rats was determined by two experiments. In experiment 1, a high level of zinc (100 ppm) was given to rats days 15 through 17 of gestation. In experiment 2, a low level of zinc (3 ppm) was given from days 1 through 17. On day 18, half the rats were given EDTA in two intraperitoneal injections 6 hours apart with or without zinc supplementation. The -Zn + EDTA group lost weight continuously after the injections, had increased hematocrit levels prior to parturition,and showed greater stress at parturition than did the -Zn group. Weight gains, hematocrit level, and parturition in the +Zn + EDTA group did not differ significantly from those of the +Zn controls. Spleen weights were decreased in the -Zn + EDTA and -Zn groups and zinc concentration in the spleen increased in the -Zn + EDTA group. Iron concentration decreased in the spleen and increased in the liver of EDTA-treated rats. Use of EDTA to remove endogenous zinc appears to offer a mechanism for study of the effects of short-term zinc supplementation at critical periods in the pregnant zinc-deficient rat.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D004492:Edetic Acid; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008098:Litter Size; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D051381:Rats; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D004492:Edetic Acid; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc