Cited by 93Iron Metabolism and DisordersTrace Elements in HealthPlant Micronutrient Interactions and Effects

Changes in the expression of intestinal iron transport and hepatic regulatory molecules explain the enhanced iron absorption associated with pregnancy in the rat

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Millard, K N, Frazer, D M, Wilkins, S J, Anderson, G J·2004·Gut

Abstract

Background: Iron absorption increases during pregnancy to cater for the increased iron requirements of the growing fetus. Aims: To investigate the role of the duodenal iron transport molecules and hepatic regulatory molecules in coordinating the changes in iron absorption observed during pregnancy. Methods: Rats at various days of gestation and 24–48 hours post-partum were examined for hepatic expression of hepcidin, transferrin receptors 1 and 2, and HFE (the gene mutated in the most prevalent form of hereditary haemochromatosis), and duodenal expression of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), duodenal cytochrome b (Dcytb), iron regulated mRNA (Ireg1), and hephaestin (Hp) by ribonuclease protection assay, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Results: Decreased hepatic non-haem iron and transferrin saturation and increased expression of transferrin receptor 1 in the liver indicated a progressive reduction in maternal body iron stores during pregnancy. Duodenal expression of the iron transport molecules DMT1, Dcytb, and Ireg1 increased during pregnancy, and this corresponded with a reduction in hepcidin, HFE, and transferrin receptor 2 expression in the liver. Expression of all molecules returned towards control values by 24–48 hours post-partum. Conclusions: These data indicate that increased expression of key iron transport molecules is responsible for the elevated iron absorption associated with pregnancy, and implicate hepcidin, HFE, and transferrin receptor 2 in determining how the maternal iron homeostatic machinery responds to the increased iron demands accompanying gestation.

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Crossref · 10.1136/gut.2003.031153

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  • For the developing fetus, maternal circulation is the only source of iron.

    “Maternal circulation constitutes the only source of iron for the developing fetus (11), and maternal iron intake can in fl uence both the mother ' s iron status and her child ' s status (47) during brain development.”

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  1. Finch C. Regulators of iron balance in humans. Blood 1994;84:1697-1702.

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Authors
Millard, K. N., Frazer, D. M., Wilkins, S. J., & Anderson, G. J.
Affiliations
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (AU)
Corresponding author
Anderson, G J
Venue
Gut
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2004-04-13
Volume
53
Issue
5
Pages
655-660
ISSN
  • 0017-5749 (ISSN-L)
  • 1468-3288
OpenAlex
W2040132197
Cited by
93
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 3
FWCI
4.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Gut (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Medical Research Council
  • National Health and Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Iron Metabolism and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Trace Elements in Health
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Plant Micronutrient Interactions and Effects
Keywords
iron absorption, pregnancy, iron homeostasis, hepcidin, HFE gene, transferrin receptor 1, transferrin receptor 2, DMT1, duodenal cytochrome b, hephaestin, maternal iron stores, duodenum, liver
MeSH terms
Hemochromatosis Protein, Solute Carrier Family 11, Member 2, Animals, Duodenum, Female, Homeostasis, Intestinal Absorption, Iron, Liver, Membrane Proteins, Pregnancy, Pregnancy, Animal, Receptors, Transferrin, Histocompatibility Antigens Class I, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides, Cation Transport Proteins, Iron-Binding Proteins, Rats, Hepcidins

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