First trimester curtailment of iron absorption: innate suppression of a teratogen?
In human pregnancies, maternal absorption of iron is markedly curtailed in the first trimester. In a murine model, iron was teratogenic in the analogous embryonic period. Although iron is a weak mutagen, it is a powerful oxidant and a catalyst of formation of hydroxyl radicals. Studies are needed to determine if there might be an association of first trimester iron supplementation with miscarriage/fetal abnormalities.
Weinberg
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ED
Department of Biology and Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University, Jordan Hall 142, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. eweinber@indiana.edu
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008954:Models, Biological; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013723:Teratogens / Q000378:metabolism*
D019266:Iron, Dietary; D013723:Teratogens