The influence of diet on iron absorption. III. Comparative studies with rats, mice, guinea pigs, and chickens.

The response of rats, chicks, mice, and guinea pigs to two diets containing various amounts of iron has been compared. With diets composed chiefly of corn grits animals of all these species absorb and store considerably more iron than those with normal diets of the same iron content. If sufficient iron is added to a normal diet, all species will absorb large amounts of iron.

The influence of diet on iron absorption; the pathology of iron excess.

Rats placed on a corn grit diet and added iron absorbed large amounts of iron in contrast to control groups. The histological picture was that of progressive hemosiderosis of the hepatic parenchyma and of the reticuloendothelial system. On chemical analysis, the iron content of the liver was found to be greatly increased.

The influence of diet on iron absorption; the interrelation of iron and phosphorus.

Rats fed a corn grit diet containing large amounts of ferric citrate absorb and deposit excessive amounts of iron in their livers. Undoubtedly various factors are involved in iron absorption, but these studies indicate that the low level of dietary phosphate was primarily responsible. The addition of phosphate salts to this diet has shown that the amount of iron deposited in the liver was inversely related to the phosphorus content of the diet.