Effects of pregnancy and riboflavin deficiency on some aspects of iron metabolism in rats.

Using female Norwegian hooded rats on controlled dietary intakes we have looked at the effects of pregnancy, and of riboflavin status, on levels of circulating iron, hepatic ferritin, iron stores and iron mobilisation in vitro from ferritin. Results suggest that pregnancy, and rapid growth, increase the demand for iron turnover, and deplete ferritin stores, and that riboflavin deficiency may impair iron mobilisation for these purposes.