Food restriction in pregnant and lactating rats induces anemia and increases plasma lipid peroxidation in their progeny

This study was designed to investigate the effects of food restriction in female rats during pregnancy and lactation periods on hematologic parameters in their progeny. Twelve pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: a control (C) group with free access to a standard diet and a food-restricted group with alternating 24 hours of fasting and nonfasting from day 14 of pregnancy to day 14 of lactation. Food restriction reduced the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit values in mothers and their pups. In dams, plasma iron and folate levels were respectively reduced by 27% (P < .04) and 46% (P < .01) compared with the C group, whereas plasma copper and vitamin B12 levels were unchanged. In pups, plasma iron, copper, and vitamin B12 levels were decreased by 50%, 23%, and 16%, respectively, compared with those in the C group, whereas folate levels were unchanged. Blood glutathione levels were significantly decreased in mothers and pups compared with those in the C group. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility decreased, and plasma thiobarbituric acid–reactive substance (TBARS) levels increased only in pups. The results of the present study suggest that food restriction in rats provoked alterations in erythrocyte parameters in mothers, probably as a consequence of disturbance in the iron status. In pups, these changes might be pronounced by an increase in TBARS levels and erythrocyte osmotic fragility, which suggests involvement of lipid peroxidation, causing alteration of erythroid cells.