Fetal and neonatal iron deficiency but not copper deficiency increases vascular complexity in the developing rat brain.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Anemia caused by nutritional deficiencies, such as iron and copper deficiencies, is a global health problem. Iron and copper deficiencies have their most profound effect on the developing fetus/infant, leading to brain development deficits and poor cognitive outcomes. Tissue iron depletion or chronic anemia can induce cellular hypoxic signaling. In mice, chronic hypoxia induces a compensatory increase in brain blood vessel outgrowth. We hypothesized that developmental anemia, due to iron or copper deficiencies, induces angiogenesis/vasculogenesis in the neonatal brain.

Methods

To test our hypothesis, three independent experiments were performed where pregnant rats were fed iron- or copper-deficient diets from gestational day 2 through mid-lactation. Effects on the

SUBMITTER: Bastian TW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4681608 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature