IRON-DEFICIENT DIET AS AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL TO INDUCE ANEMIA IN BALB/C MICE

Introduction: In order to develop an experimental model of anemia in Balb/c mice using an iron-deficient diet, an experimental and longitudinal study was conducted with 16 male Balb/c mice, four weeks old, divided into two groups: one with a standard diet and the other with an iron-deficient diet (2.83 mg/Kg). Methods: Hemoglobin levels and weight were measured at baseline and after 30 days using an EKF Diagnostic® hemoglobinometer and a Soehnle® digital scale. The Student’s t-test for independent samples was used for statistical analysis, with p<0.05 as the significance level. Results: No significant differences were found initially; however, after 30 days, the iron-deficient diet group showed a significant reduction in hemoglobin (5.30±1.67 g/dL vs. 15.65±0.96 g/dL; p<0.001) and weight (28.63±6.19 g vs. 38.13±2.167 g; p<0.003). Conclusion: The experimental model successfully induced anemia in Balb/c mice, providing a reproducible tool for preclinical studies.