Abstract: ObjectiveTo establish a nutritional iron deficiency model in pregnancy rats and to study the effect of iron deficiency anemia on fetus development.MethodsSix-month healthy female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups.The rats in experimental group and control group were fed with low iron or normal diet,respectively.After four weeks,the rats were mated with healthy adult male rats.Before the mating,levels of hemoglobin,erythrocyte hemoglobin distribution width,ferritin were detected.After the offspring were born,the conception rate,the development and growth of the newborn until weaning were observed.ResultsHemoglobin and weight were lower in experimental group than those in control group(P<0.05)before the mating.Erythrocyte hemoglobin distribution width and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin were higher in experimental group.The conception rates of two groups were the same(83.3%).There were significant differences in offspring survival rate,birth rate,and growth rate between the two groups(P<0.05).ConclusionThe nutritional iron deficient model in pregnancy rats was established successfully.Pregnant rats iron deficiency anemia can affect their fetus growth.