Methionine deficiency and iron retention in the rat

Abstract

1. Methionine-deficient diets were given to rats for 4 weeks. 2. This resulted in a decrease in total body iron, due to a decrease either in Fe absorption or Fe retention. 3. There was inhibition of growth, development of anaemia and a shift of body Fe to the liver. 4. There were no histological alterations which could be interpreted as specific to methionine deficiency. 5. These findings were different from reports of effects of ethionine in which there is an increased Fe absorption and various tissue alterations, including pancreatic acinar and liver damage.