Evaluation of Effects of Maternal Folic Acid Supplementation on Birth Weight and Obesity Development in the Offspring of Rats

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different amounts of maternal folic acid (FA) supplementation on birth weight and obesity development in the offspring of rats.

Material and Method: Wistar female rats (n=18) were mated and randomly divided into three groups. Three different feeding protocols were administered to each group during pregnancy (Control group [CG]: 2 mg/kg folic acid, Experimental group 1 [E1]: 5 mg/kg folic acid, Experimental group 2 [E2]: 40 mg/kg folic acid). Birth weights of pups in each group were recorded. Body weights of total 36 pups including 12 pups (6 females and 6 males) from each group were monitored weekly after lactation period. Pups were evaluated for obesity (Lee index) at the end of the 7th and 12th weeks. In total, 54 rats (18 mother rats and 36 pups) were included.

Results: The highest mean birth weight was found in E2 group pups (CG: 5.6±0.1 g; E1: 5.8±0.5 g; E2:5.9±0.2 g, p<0.05). Body weight of E2 group male (174.4±5.6 g) and female (138.3±7.7 g) pups were higher than CG (male: 151.6±10.6 g; female: 124.6±3.9 g) and E1 group pups (male: 163.3±25.3 g; female: 130.8±13.0 g) at the end of the 7th week (p<0.05). The mean body weight and body weight gain of male and female pups were similar at the end of the 12th week (p>0.05). At 7th week, body weight of pups in E2 group, who were exposed to high doses of FA were normal, however all female and one third of male pups (33.3 %) were obese at the end of 12th week.

Conclusion: This study suggested that amount of maternal FA supplementation may be a risk factor associated with body weight gain and may cause tendency to obesity in the offspring. Amount of FA supplementation should be considered in pregnant women.