Iron, copper and manganese in human organs at various ages

Abstract

Total Fe, non-hemin Fe, Cu, and Mn were detd. in livers and kidneys of 75 cases. For Fe, a characteristic life-curve exists in both organs, for Cu only in the liver, whereas Mn remains constant during the whole of life. The curve for non-hemin Fe parallels the well-known life-curve for blood hemoglobin, and this phenomenon is discussed in detail, together with the significance of the congenital Fe and Cu deposit, the polycythemia neonatorum and the "physiological anemia" of childhood. It is suggested that the latter is not due to external Fe deficiency. During childhood and after severe secondary anemias, the iron contents drop to a minimum, similar in magnitude to the so-called "parenchyma Fe" fraction (Whipple and Hahn). Figures are given for healthy individuals and some pathological findings are reported and discussed.