Essential trace metals and specific organ weights in diet-restricted and ad lib-fed rats

Manganese, copper, iron, zinc, and specific organ weights (relative to body weight) of the heart, liver, and kidney were compared between a 65% diet-restricted group and an ad lib-fed control group of young male Sprague-Dawley rats. Elevated concentrations of Cu (12%) in the liver, and of Mn (12-26%) and Fe (17-69%) in all three organs, occurred in the diet-restricted group. Specific heart weight was unchanged despite the 40% difference in group body weights. Specific liver weight decreased 13% and specific kidney weight increased 13%.