Interrelationships between Dietary Iron and Tissue Zinc and Copper Levels and Serum Lipids in Rats

Abstract
The effects of maternal Fe restriction during pregnancy and lactation on serum lipids and tissue Zn and Cu levels in rat pups were studied. Feeding diets containing 5 ppm Fe to maternal rats produced hyperlipidemia and a decreased ratio of Zn/Cu in livers and spleens of 18 day old pups. Significant correlations were found between Zn/Cu ratio in pups and serum triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids.