Abstract: ObjectiveTo study the effects of iron deficiency anemia(IDA)on the offspr ing female rats development and to observe their changes of trace elements in serum and tissues.MethodsFour-week-old female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups,experimental group and control group were fed on low iron and normal diets respectively for 14 weeks,and then mated with normal adults male rats.The day on which the plugs were found was desig nated day 0 of pregnancy.Weanling female and tow-day-old and forty-day-old rats were killed and the trace element of Fe、Zn、Cu、Mn、Se in serum and tissues of liver、brain and spleen were measured.Results(1)The content of Fe、Cu、Mn in serum of IDA female rats were much lower than that of controls(P<0.01,P<0.05 respectively).The level of Fe、Cu in serum of IDA offspring rats markedly lower than of controls(P<0.01).(2)The trace elements content in tissues of liver、brain and spleen:¹Fe in IDA female rats were lower than that of controls while Zn、Cu、Mn、Se were not significantly different.④Fe in tissues between IDA offspringr ats and controls were significantly different.Cu、Mn in liver tissues of two-day-old rats were higher than that of controls.ConclusionIt was suggested that IDA can not only cause the deficiency of Fe in female and offspringrats but also change other trace element metabolism.