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High maternal folate intake by Sprague Dawley rats results in higher weight gain and lower plasma folate in male offspring
Author(s) -
Huot Pedro S. P.,
Ly Anna,
RezaLópez Sandra,
Cho Daniel,
Duan Jiuhua,
Kim YoungIn,
Szeto Ignatius M.Y.,
Anderson G. Harvey
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.219.1
Subject(s) - offspring , endocrinology , medicine , weaning , lactation , leptin , hyperinsulinemia , pregnancy , gestation , biology , weight gain , obesity , body weight , insulin resistance , genetics
High multivitamin intake during pregnancy leads to increased weight gain, food intake, and hyperinsulinemia in rat offspring (Szeto et al. Am J Physiol 2008; 295: R575‐82). The objective of this study was to investigate the role of maternal folate intake on offspring body weight (BW) and hypothalamic gene expression. Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats (n=10/group) were randomized to the AIN‐93G diet containing either the recommended (RF) or 2.5‐fold the folate content (HF) during pregnancy and lactation. All offspring were weaned to the RF diet. BW was measured from 1 wk post‐weaning (pw) to 25 wk pw. Plasma and liver folate levels were measured and hypothalamic gene expression of leptin receptor (LR) and POMC were determined by real‐time RT‐PCR. Males from HF dams were 6% heavier compared with those from RF dams (p<0.0001). Males from HF dams had 27% lower plasma folate compared to males from RF dams (p=0.01), while there were no differences in liver folate levels. Males from HF dams had 39% lower POMC mRNA compared to males from RF dams (p<0.05). No differences in LR mRNA levels were detected. In conclusion, a moderate increase in maternal folate intake resulted in higher BW, which may be related to lower hypothalamic POMC expression, and lower plasma folate concentrations in the male offspring. Grant Funding Source CIHR‐INMD (OOP‐77980), Ontario Graduate Scholarship