Reduction in neonatal lead exposure by supplemental dietary iron during gestation and lactation in the rat.

Confirmed pregnant female albino rats were fed a purified diet containing either 30 or 150 ppm iron with or without lead (0 or 250 ppm) from day 0 of gestation through day 15 of lactation. A 19% reduction in dam weight gain during gestation and a 13% reduction in average pup weight in rats fed the low iron plus lead diet were markedly different compared to controls not exposed to lead and rats fed the lead-containing diet plus additional dietary iron. Milk lead concentration was reduced 34% in rats receiving additional dietary iron and lead compared to the low iron plus lead group which was reflected in almost identical reductions in pup erythrocyte and tibia lead concentrations, and a smaller reduction in pup liver lead concentration at day 15 of lactation. Determination of lead in pup liver obtained shortly after birth also suggests a possible effect of dietary iron on placental transfer of lead. Supplemental dietary iron reduced both maternal liver and blood lead concentration by 44 and 54%, respectively. Overall the results of this study show that neonatal lead exposure can be significantly reduced by providing supplemental dietary iron during gestation and lactation.