Preconception Folic Acid Use Modulates Estradiol and Follicular Responses to Ovarian Stimulation

Background: Folate is a methyl donor. Availability of folate affects DNA methylation profiles and thereby gene expression profiles. We investigated the effects of low-dose folic acid use (0.4 mg/d) on the ovarian response to mild and conventional ovarian stimulation in women. Methods: In a randomized trial among subfertile women, 24 and 26 subjects received conventional and mild ovarian stimulation, respectively. Blood samples were taken during the early follicular phase of the cycle prior to treatment and on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration for determination of serum total homocysteine, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), estradiol, and folate. Folic acid use was validated by questionnaire and serum folate levels. Preovulatory follicles were visualized, counted, and diameters recorded using transvaginal ultrasound. The relation between folic acid use and ovarian response was assessed using linear regression analysis. Results: Folic acid use modified the ovarian response to ovarian stimulation treatment. The estradiol response was higher in nonfolic acid users receiving conventional treatment [βinteraction = 0.52 (0.07–0.97); P = 0.03], and this effect was independent of serum AMH levels and the preovulatory follicle count. In the conventional treatment, the mean follicle number was also greater in nonusers compared with the users group (14.1 vs. 8.9, P = 0.03). Conclusion: Low-dose folic acid use attenuates follicular and endocrine responses to conventional stimulation, independent of AMH and follicle count. The nature of this observation suggests that the effect of folic acid is most prominent during early follicle development, affecting immature follicles. Deleterious effects of folate deficiency, like DNA hypomethylation and oxidative stress, can help to explain our observations.

Download Full-text

Folic Acid Absorption Characteristics and Effect on Cecal Microbiota of Laying Hens

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.720851 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Yan Bai ◽

Rui Wang ◽

Yu Yang ◽

Ruirui Li ◽

Xiaotian Wu

Keyword(s):

Folic Acid ◽

Egg Production ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Folate Receptor ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Serum Folate ◽

Intestinal Lumen ◽

Transport And Transformation ◽

Cecal Microbiota

This experiment was conducted to investigate the characteristics of folic acid (FA) absorption in laying hens and the effect of FA supplementation on cecal microbiota. A total of 432 healthy hens (30-week-old) were randomly assigned to four diets supplemented with FA: 0, 1, 6, and 24 mg/kg of feed for 8 w. Blood, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and cecal chyme samples (six samples per treatment) were collected from the hens at the end of the feeding trial. Expression profiles of folate transport and transformation genes in intestine and cecal microbiota were detected. Results showed that serum folate level significantly increased (P < 0.01) with an increase in dietary FA supplementation, reaching a plateau at 6 mg/kg FA supplementation. The expression of FA transport and transformation genes was not affected in the cecum (P > 0.05) by dietary FA supplementation; however, it was affected in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum and mostly showed a downward trend in treatment groups (P < 0.05). The genes affected include duodenal folate receptor (Folr) and dihydrofolate reductase (Dhfr), jejunal proton-coupled folate transporter (Pcft) and reduced folate carrier (Rfc), and ileal ATP binding cassette subfamily C member (Abcc2), Abcc3, Rfc, Folr, and Dhfr. Furthermore, according to the operational taxonomic unit classification and taxonomic position identification, the cecal microbiota population of the hens was not affected by dietary FA supplementation at the phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species levels (P > 0.05). However, the relative abundance of some microbiota was affected by dietary FA supplementation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, FA transport from the intestinal lumen into enterocytes, and then into the bloodstream, is strictly regulated, which may be associated with the regulation of the expression profiles of genes involved in FA absorption. Pathogenic bacteria decreased in the cecum, especially at 24 mg/kg supplementation, but the beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacteriaceae) decreased at this level, too. Overall, FA supplementation at 6 mg/kg, which was selected for folate-enriched egg production, did not affect the health and metabolism of laying hens negatively.

Download Full-text

Does low dose r – FSH ovarian stimulation negotiate thin endometrium problem in oocyte donation program?

10.26226/morressier.573c1512d462b80296c98598 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Amogh Chimote

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Stimulation ◽

Low Dose ◽

Oocyte Donation ◽

Thin Endometrium

Download Full-text

Folate Nutritional Status among Psoriasis Patients not Exposed to Antifolate Drug

Current Nutrition & Food Science ◽

10.2174/1573401314666180702100301 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 543-553

Author(s):

Luciana Y. Tomita ◽

Andréia C. da Costa ◽

Solange Andreoni ◽

Luiza K.M. Oyafuso ◽

Vânia D’Almeida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Folic Acid ◽

Linear Regression ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽

Folate Intake ◽

Serum Folate ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Folic Acid Fortification ◽

Plasma Folate ◽

Psoriasis Severity

Background: Folic acid fortification program has been established to prevent tube defects. However, concern has been raised among patients using anti-folate drug, i.e. psoriatic patients, a common, chronic, autoimmune inflammatory skin disease associated with obesity and smoking. Objective: To investigate dietary and circulating folate, vitamin B12 (B12) and homocysteine (hcy) in psoriatic subjects exposed to the national mandatory folic acid fortification program. Methods: Cross-sectional study using the Food Frequency Questionnaire, plasma folate, B12, hcy and psoriasis severity using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score. Median, interquartile ranges (IQRs) and linear regression models were conducted to investigate factors associated with plasma folate, B12 and hcy. Results: 82 (73%) mild psoriasis, 18 (16%) moderate and 12 (11%) severe psoriasis. 58% female, 61% non-white, 31% former smokers, and 20% current smokers. Median (IQRs) were 51 (40, 60) years. Only 32% reached the Estimated Average Requirement of folate intake. Folate and B12 deficiencies were observed in 9% and 6% of the blood sample respectively, but hyperhomocysteinaemia in 21%. Severity of psoriasis was negatively correlated with folate and B12 concentrations. In a multiple linear regression model, folate intake contributed positively to 14% of serum folate, and negative predictors were psoriasis severity, smoking habits and saturated fatty acid explaining 29% of circulating folate. Conclusion: Only one third reached dietary intake of folate, but deficiencies of folate and B12 were low. Psoriasis severity was negatively correlated with circulating folate and B12. Stopping smoking and a folate rich diet may be important targets for managing psoriasis.

Download Full-text

PSIV-11 Effects of very low-dose antibiotics on gene expression profiles in ileal mucosa of weaned pigs infected with a pathogenic E. coli

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa278.515 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. 286-286

Author(s):

Kwangwook Kim ◽

Sungbong Jang ◽

Yanhong Liu

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Systemic Inflammation ◽

Low Dose ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Gene Expression Profiles ◽

Post Inoculation ◽

Growth Promoter ◽

Weaned Pigs ◽

Ileal Mucosa ◽

E Coli

Abstract Our previous studies have shown that supplementation of low-dose antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) exacerbated growth performance and systemic inflammation of weaned pigs infected with pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli). The objective of this experiment, which is extension of our previous report, was to investigate the effect of low-dose AGP on gene expression in ileal mucosa of weaned pigs experimentally infected with F18 E. coli. Thirty-four pigs (6.88 ± 1.03 kg BW) were individually housed in disease containment rooms and randomly allotted to one of three treatments (9 to 13 pigs/treatment). The three dietary treatments were control diet (control), and 2 additional diets supplemented with 0.5 or 50 mg/kg of AGP (carbadox), respectively. The experiment lasted 18 d [7 d before and 11 d after first inoculation (d 0)]. The F18 E. coli inoculum was orally provided to all pigs with the dose of 1010 cfu/3 mL for 3 consecutive days. Total RNA [4 to 6 pigs/treatment on d 5; 5 to 7 pigs/treatment on 11 post-inoculation (PI)] was extracted from ileal mucosa to analyze gene expression profiles by Batch-Tag-Seq. The modulated differential gene expression were defined by 1.5-fold difference and a cutoff of P < 0.05 using limma-voom package. All processed data were statistically analyzed and evaluated by PANTHER classification system to determine the biological process function of genes in these lists. Compared to control, supplementation of recommended-dose AGP down-regulated genes related to inflammatory responses on d 5 and 11 PI; whereas, feeding low-dose AGP up-regulated genes associated with negative regulation of metabolic process on d 5, but down-regulated the genes related to immune responses on d 11 PI. The present observations support adverse effects of low-dose AGP in our previous study, indicated by exacerbated the detrimental effects of E. coli infection on pigs’ growth rate, diarrhea and systemic inflammation.

Download Full-text

Ex vivo Retrieval of Mature Oocytes for Fertility Preservation in a Patient with Bilateral Borderline Ovarian Tumor

Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia / RBGO Gynecology and Obstetrics ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1718436 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bruno Ramalho de Carvalho ◽

Geórgia Fontes Cintra ◽

Taise Moura Franceschi ◽

Íris de Oliveira Cabral ◽

Leandro Santos de Araújo Resende ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fertility Preservation ◽

Ovarian Stimulation ◽

Ovarian Tumor ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Oocyte Retrieval ◽

Ovarian Response ◽

Malignant Cell ◽

Borderline Ovarian Tumor ◽

Increased Risk

AbstractWe report a case of ultrasound-guided ex vivo oocyte retrieval for fertility preservation in a woman with bilateral borderline ovarian tumor, for whom conventional transvaginal oocyte retrieval was deemed unsafe because of the increased risk of malignant cell spillage. Ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins was performed. Surgery was scheduled according to the ovarian response to exogenous gonadotropic stimulation; oophorectomized specimens were obtained by laparoscopy, and oocyte retrieval was performed ∼ 37 hours after the ovulatory trigger. The sum of 20 ovarian follicles were aspirated, and 16 oocytes were obtained. We performed vitrification of 12 metaphase II oocytes and 3 oocytes matured in vitro. Our result emphasizes the viability of ex vivo mature oocyte retrieval after controlled ovarian stimulation for those with high risk of malignant dissemination by conventional approach.

Download Full-text

Immunological and hematological outcomes following protracted low dose/low dose rate ionizing radiation and simulated microgravity

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-90439-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Amber M. Paul ◽

Eliah G. Overbey ◽

Willian A. da Silveira ◽

Nathaniel Szewczyk ◽

Nina C. Nishiyama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Dose ◽

Transforming Growth Factor ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽

Hindlimb Unloading ◽

B Cell Differentiation ◽

Specific Regulation ◽

Β Receptor ◽

Gene Orthologs ◽

Whole Transcriptome

AbstractUsing a ground-based model to simulate spaceflight [21-days of single-housed, hindlimb unloading (HLU) combined with continuous low-dose gamma irradiation (LDR, total dose of 0.04 Gy)], an in-depth survey of the immune and hematological systems of mice at 7-days post-exposure was performed. Collected blood was profiled with a hematology analyzer and spleens were analyzed by whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing (RNA-sequencing). The results revealed negligible differences in immune differentials. However, hematological system analyses of whole blood indicated large disparities in red blood cell differentials and morphology, suggestive of anemia. Murine Reactome networks indicated majority of spleen cells displayed differentially expressed genes (DEG) involved in signal transduction, metabolism, cell cycle, chromatin organization, and DNA repair. Although immune differentials were not changed, DEG analysis of the spleen revealed expression profiles associated with inflammation and dysregulated immune function persist to 1-week post-simulated spaceflight. Additionally, specific regulation pathways associated with human blood disease gene orthologs, such as blood pressure regulation, transforming growth factor-β receptor signaling, and B cell differentiation were noted. Collectively, this study revealed differential immune and hematological outcomes 1-week post-simulated spaceflight conditions, suggesting recovery from spaceflight is an unremitting process.

Download Full-text

Effects of Periconceptional Multivitamin Supplementation on Folate and Homocysteine Levels Depending on Genetic Variants of Methyltetrahydrofolate Reductase in Infertile Japanese Women

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13041381 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1381

Author(s):

Keiji Kuroda ◽

Takashi Horikawa ◽

Yoko Gekka ◽

Azusa Moriyama ◽

Kazuki Nakao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Folic Acid ◽

Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase ◽

Homocysteine Level ◽

Folic Acid Supplementation ◽

Serum Folate ◽

Folate Level ◽

Multivitamin Supplementation ◽

Mthfr Polymorphisms ◽

Mthfr Genotype ◽

Multivitamin Supplements

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) has various polymorphisms, and the effects of periconceptional folic acid supplementation for decreasing neural tube defects (NTDs) risk differ depending on the genotypes. This study analyzed the effectiveness of multivitamin supplementation on folate insufficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia, depending on MTHFR polymorphisms. Of 205 women, 72 (35.1%), 100 (48.8%) and 33 (16.1%) had MTHFR CC, CT and TT, respectively. Serum folate and homocysteine levels in women with homozygous mutant TT were significantly lower and higher, respectively, than those in women with CC and CT. In 54 women (26.3% of all women) with a risk of NTDs, multivitamin supplementation containing folic acid and vitamin D for one month increased folate level (5.8 ± 0.9 to 19.2 ± 4.0 ng/mL, p < 0.0001) and decreased the homocysteine level (8.2 ± 3.1 to 5.8 ± 0.8 nmol/mL, p < 0.0001) to minimize the risk of NTDs in all women, regardless of MTHFR genotype. Regardless of MTHFR genotype, multivitamin supplements could control folate and homocysteine levels. Tests for folate and homocysteine levels and optimal multivitamin supplementation in women with risk of NTDs one month or more before pregnancy should be recommended to women who are planning a pregnancy.

Download Full-text