[Iron levels of muscle after various iron and protein intakes]

In a 2 X 3 factorial experiment with growing rats (starting weight 32 g) the Fe content (5, 25, 625 mg/kg) and the protein content (5, 25, 45%) of the diet was varied. The diets were fed ad libitum for 35 days. At the end of the experiment the animals were sacrificed. The iron content was determined in a defined sample of musculus supraspinalis after dry ashing with AAS. An insufficient protein supply produced an overall increased iron content and a reduced muscle mass. A deficient iron supply caused a lowered iron content in the muscle in the case of sufficient and excessive protein content of the diet. On the other hand an iron supply exceeding the requirement did not lead to higher iron contents.