Iron Deposition in the Growth Plate of Long Bones of the Offspring When Given During Pregnancy in Rat Model

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate histologically the deposition of iron in the epiphyseal cartilage of offspring’s of dams given iron supplementation during pregnancy and lactation in rat model.
 Study Design: Laboratory based experimental study.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi and National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad, from Mar to Nov 2016.
 Methodology: In this study, 16 female and 4 male adult rats were chosen for breading. After confirmation of pregnancy, pregnant rats were separated in two groups. One group was given oral iron supplementation for four weeks till delivery and half of the pups fed by mothers who were given iron during lactation. The other group was kept on normal lab diet. Deposition of iron in the epiphyseal cartilage of newborn rats after four weeks was evaluated histologically in pups.
 Results: Iron deposition was maximum in group C i.e. 1.30 ± 0.48; in group B it was 0.20 ± 0.44. Statistically significant iron deposition (p<0.001) was observed in the growth plate of off springs when mothers were given iron supplements during pregnancy and lactation.
 Conclusion: Present study proves that injudicious iron supplementation through pregnancy results in deposition of iron in epiphyseal growth plate of the fetus and it can have damaging effects on bones of fetus.