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Paternal folate deficiency during reproduction influences folate concentrations in the brain of the offspring
Author(s) -
Kim Hye Won,
Lee Yo A,
Kim HwanHee,
Lee Suman,
Chang Namsoo
Publication year - 2010
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.24.1_supplement.915.7
Subject(s) - offspring , pregnancy , dna methylation , methyltransferase , methylation , biology , reproduction , physiology , christian ministry , gestation , endocrinology , folic acid , medicine , lactation , andrology , genetics , gene expression , gene , philosophy , theology
This study was performed to investigate the effects of paternal folate status during reproduction on folate concentration and its possible influences on DNA methylation in the brain of the offspring. Experimental diet of a different folic acid content (0 vs. 8 mg/kg diet) was fed to animals of four groups; both parents supplemented (FSFS), paternal folate deficient (FDFS), maternal folate deficient (FSFD), and both parents deficient (FDFD). Experimental diets were fed for 4 weeks prior to mating and throughout the pregnancy. Brain folate concentrations were analyzed microbiologically and DNA methyltransferases by RT‐PCR, respectively. At day 20 of gestation, brain folate concentrations were significantly higher in FSFS (0.89±0.18) than in other 3 groups (FDFS; 0.49±0.06, FSFD; 0.42±0.08 and FDFD; 0.41±0.10 nmol/g wet tissue). Paternal folate deficiency resulted in a decrease of folate concentrations in a degree similar to maternal or both parental deficiencies. No significant difference was observed in the Dnmt 1, 3a and 3b expression level among the diet groups. Further studies are warranted to investigate the consequences of paternal folate deficiency on DNA methylation and gene expressions in relation to brain growth and development. This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (2009‐0072246) and by BK21.