A Decrease in Maternal Iron Levels Is the Predominant Factor Suppressing Hepcidin during Pregnancy in Mice.

ABSTRACT: In order to supply adequate iron during pregnancy, the levels of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin in the maternal circulation are suppressed, thereby increasing dietary iron absorption and storage iron release. Whether this decrease in maternal hepcidin is caused by changes in factors known to regulate hepcidin expression, or by other unidentified pregnancy factors, is not known. To investigate this, we examined iron parameters during pregnancy in mice. We observed that hepatic iron stores and transferrin saturation, both established regulators of hepcidin production, were decreased in mid and late pregnancy in normal and iron loaded dams, indicating an increase in iron utilization. This can be explained by a significant increase in maternal erythropoiesis, a known suppressor of hepcid

SUBMITTER: Helman SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10532249 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature