Effect of maternal iron deficiency on GABA shunt pathway of developing rat brain.

Iron deficiency during pregnancy and lactation (35 mg iron/kg diet) produced a significant reduction in liver nonheme iron in dams as well as in fetus and young ones. The body, liver and brain weights of fetus, new-born, and developing pups remained unaffected. However, the body weight and PCV were reduced only in 21-day-old pups. The enzyme activities of GDH, GAD, GABA-transaminase, and NAD(+)-linked ICDH were reduced in 14 and 21-day-old pups. The enzyme activities of NADP(+)-linked ICDH activities remained unaffected in the fetus and developing pups brain. Maternal rehabilitation on iron sufficient diet for 1 week from day 14 to 21 of lactation period did not reverse these changes. The maternal iron deficiency during lactation period alone did not cause any alteration in all parameters assayed, however, there was a reduction in liver non-heme iron of pups on days 14 and 21.