Iron binding and transferrin polymorphism in Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Transferrin binds with and delivers serum iron to bone marrow where it is used in heme production. Total iron binding capacities and serum total iron levels were estimated for rhesus monkeys with different transferrin genotypes. Monkeys homozygous for the Tf-D or Tf-G alleles were found to have higher total iron binding capacities and lower serum total iron levels than those homozygous for the Tf-C allele. This difference might be responsible for or associated with differences in fertility and infant growth rates which have previously been reported for these animals.