Folate and human reproduction

Abstract

The influence of folate nutritional status on various pregnancy outcomes has long been recognized. Studies conducted in the 1950s and 1960s led to the recognition of prenatal folic acid supplementation as a means to prevent pregnancy-induced megaloblastic anemia. In the 1990s, the utility of periconceptional folic acid supplementation and folic acid food fortification emerged when they were proven to prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects. These distinctively different uses of folic acid may well be ranked among the most significant public health measures for the prevention of pregnancy-related disorders. Folate is now viewed not only as a nutrient needed to prevent megaloblastic anemia in pregnancy but also as a vitamin essential for reproductive health. This review focuses on the relation between various outcomes of human reproduction (ie, pregnancy, lactation, and male reproduction) and folate nutrition and metabolism, homocysteine metabolism, and polymorphisms of genes that encode folate-related enzymes or proteins, and we identify issues for future research.

Metabolic profiles of placenta in preeclampsia using HR-MAS MRS metabolomics

“…160 Folate is a vitamin that is essential for reproductive health, and a well known prenatal supplement. 152 Choline levels were equal in placenta from preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies (paper III), suggesting a compensatory e ect on placental choline levels by increasing cell membrane catabolism. Comparing severe with non-severe preeclampsia, an additional increase in choline was found in tissue from the severe group (paper III).…”

“…Indeed, plasma homocysteine is not elevated before clinical signs of preeclampsia, but increases once the signs develop. 152 Similarly, the decrease in urinary p-cresol sulfate for women with preeclampsia (paper I) was not re ected in early pregnancy (paper II). This metabolite is a gut microbial byproduct, 154 and a uremic retention solute which has shown proinammatory e ects on endothelium and kidney cells, and may induce shedding of endothelial microparticles.…”

First-trimester serum folate levels and subsequent risk of abortion and preterm birth among Japanese women with singleton pregnancies

“…Adequate folate status is important not only during the periconceptional period, but also throughout pregnancy to achieve a satisfactory pregnancy outcome [1]. Since unambiguous evidence has shown that folic acid protects against both the first occurrence and the recurrence of neural tube defects [2,3], expert committees worldwide have issued folic acid recommendations.…”

Intraindividual variability of homocysteine and related thiols concentrations in follicular fluid

“…Alzheimer's disease), hypothyroidism, birth defects and late pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, intrauterine grow retardation, preterm birth and intrauterine fetal death and abruption of placenta [1][2][3][4][5][6].…”