Perinatal iron and copper deficiencies alter neonatal rat circulating and brain thyroid hormone concentrations

Copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and iodine/thyroid hormone(TH) deficiencies lead to similar defects in late brain development, suggesting that these micronutrient deficiencies share a common mechanism contributing to the observed derangements. Previous studies inrodents(postweanling and adult) and humans (adolescent and adult) indicate that Cu and Fe deficiencies affect the hypothalamic-pituitary- thyroid axis, leading to altered TH status. Importantly, however, relationships between Fe and Cu deficiencies and thyroidal status have not been assessed in the most vulnerable population, the developing fetus/ neonate. We hypothesized that Cu and Fe deficiencies reduce circulating and brain TH levels during development, contributing to the defects in brain development associated with these deficiencies. To test this hypothesis, pregnant rat dams were rendered Cu deficient (CuD), FeD, or TH deficient from early gestation through weaning. Serum thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃), and brain T₃ levels, were subsequently measured in postnatal d 12(P12) pups. Cu deficiency reduced serum total T₃by48%, serum total T₄ by21%,and whole-brain T₃ by10%at P12. Fe deficiency reduced serum total T₃ by 43%, serum total T₄by67%,and whole-brain T₃by25%at P12. Brain mRNA analysis revealed that expression of several TH-responsive genes were altered in CuD or FeD neonates, suggesting that reduced TH concentrations were sensed by the FeD and CuD neonatal brain. These results indicate that at least some of the brain defects associated with neonatal Fe and Cu deficiencies are mediated through reductions in circulating and brain TH levels.