We studied four groups of animals, all of which received an iron-deficient diet for 6 wk followed by a 4-wk recovery period during which all groups received Fe supplements. Group 1 (n = 12) and group 2 (n = 10) were intact male rats; group 1 received a dietary Fe supplement whereas group 2 received no Fe supplement. Group 3 (n = 12) and group 4 (n = 12) were castrated male rats; group 3 received a dietary Fe supplement whereas group 4 received no supplement. Analysis of circulating hormone values revealed that after 6 wk of dietary treatment, neither LH nor testosterone levels were affected by the Fe-deficient diet in either the castrated or intact groups. These observations suggest that neither testosterone secretion per se nor its feedback control by LH is affected by short-term Fe deficiency.