Maternal micronutrients (folic acid and vitamin B12) and omega 3 fatty acids: Implications for neurodevelopmental risk in the rat offspring

Altered maternal micronutrients (folic acid, vitamin B12) are suggested to be at the heart of intra-uterine programming of adult diseases. We have recently described interactions of folic acid, vitamin B12 and docosahexaenoic acid in one carbon metabolism that is considered to play a key role in regulation oxidative stress and chromatin methylation. However its impact on fetal oxidative stress and brain fatty acid levels has been relatively unexplored. The present study examined the effect of imbalance in maternal micronutrients (folic acid and vitamin B12) and maternal omega 3 fatty acid supplementation on oxidative stress parameters and brain fatty acids and in the offspring at birth. Pregnant female rats were divided into six groups at two levels of folic acid both in the presence and absence of vitamin B12. Both the vitamin B12 deficient groups were supplemented with omega 3 fatty acid. Oxidative stress marker (malondialdehyde) and polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles in plasma and brain were analyzed in dam and offspring at d20. Our results for the first time indicate that imbalance in maternal micronutrients (excess maternal folic acid supplementation on a B12 deficient diet) increases (p < 0.01) oxidative stress in both mother and pups. This increased maternal oxidative stress resulted in lower (p < 0.01) fetal brain DHA levels. Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation was able to restore (p < 0.05) the levels of brain DHA in both the vitamin B12 deficient groups. Our data has implications for implications for neurodevelopmental disorders since micronutrients and DHA are important modulators for neural functioning.