Hormone dependency of splenic iron stores in the rat: effect of oestrogens on the recuperation of reserves in ferrodeficient subjects

Abstract

Splenic iron stores are negligible in prepuberal rats, increasing quickly from the age of 2 months (at which moment sexual differences become apparent) and stabilizing around 3 months, when females show values approximately two-fold greater than males. Castration, adrenalectomy and hormone replacement studies show that the amount of iron stored depends directly on circulating oestrogens and is slightly but not significantly decreased, in our experimental conditions, by testosterone. The role of oestrogens is emphasized by the high correlation obtained, according to a hyperbolic regression model, between splenic iron values and doses of hormone administered to ovariectomized females. In ferrodeficient females (chronic phlebotomy), oestradiol had a positive effect on the replenishment of the stores, superior to that of iron dextran, and improved by combined treatment. However, iron levels found after a single dose were less than those found in non-phlebotomized animals.