Iron deficiency: effect on plasma luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels in the adult male rat.
We studied four groups of animals, all of which received an iron-deficient diet for 6 wk followed by a 4-wk recovery period during which all groups received Fe supplements. Group 1 (n = 12) and group 2 (n = 10) were intact male rats; group 1 received a dietary Fe supplement whereas group 2 received no Fe supplement. Group 3 (n = 12) and group 4 (n = 12) were castrated male rats; group 3 received a dietary Fe supplement whereas group 4 received no supplement. Analysis of circulating hormone values revealed that after 6 wk of dietary treatment, neither LH nor testosterone levels were affected by the Fe-deficient diet in either the castrated or intact groups. These observations suggest that neither testosterone secretion per se nor its feedback control by LH is affected by short-term Fe deficiency.
Intragumtornchai
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Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
Steiner
R A
RA
Finch
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CA
D000818:Animals; D006400:Hematocrit; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism
D014168:Transferrin; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D007501:Iron