Lacoferrin in rabbit bile: its relation to iron metabolism

The relation of biliary lactoferrin concentration and the iron status of the body was studied in normal, anaemic and iron-loaded rabbits. In anaemic rabbits lactoferrin concentrations rose to two to three times the original values. Loading with iron resulted in a return to normal values. Mobilization of iron with desferrioxamine also gave a rise in lactoferrin concentration in bile. Lactoferrin may have a regulatory function in situations of enhanced iron absorption or mobilization of iron from depots.