Body Iron Loss in Animals

SummaryMeasurements have been made of the decrease in specific activity of radioiron in circulating red cells of eight animal species. From these data calculations of body iron turnover have been made and establish a general inverse relationship between body size and rate of external iron exchange. A comparison of iron requirements and iron intake in these animals indicate extremely low absorption requirements, ranging from 0.2 to 2.3% of their dietary iron intake.