Plasma Formate Is Greater in Fetal and Neonatal Rats Compared with Their Mothers.

Background: Formate can be incorporated into 10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate (10-formyl-THF), which is a substrate for purine synthesis, and after further reduction of the one-carbon group, may be used as a substrate for thymidylate synthesis and for homocysteine remethylation.

Objective: We examined plasma formate concentrations and the expression of genes involved in the production and utilization of formate in fetal and neonatal rats and in pregnant and virgin female rats.

Methods: In 1 experiment, plasma formate was measured by GC-MS in rats aged 1-56 d.

Cobalamin Deficiency Results in Increased Production of Formate Secondary to Decreased Mitochondrial Oxidation of One-Carbon Units in Rats.

Background: Formate is produced in mitochondria via the catabolism of serine, glycine, dimethylglycine, and sarcosine. Formate produced by mitochondria may be incorporated into the cytosolic folate pool where it can be used for important biosynthetic reactions. Previous studies from our lab have shown that cobalamin deficiency results in increased plasma formate concentrations.