Effect of maternal and postweaning folic acid supplementation on global and gene-specific DNA methylation in the liver of the rat offspring.

Scope: Intrauterine and early-life exposure to folic acid has significantly increased in North America owing to folic acid fortification, widespread supplemental use, and periconceptional supplementation. We investigated the effect of maternal and postweaning folic acid supplementation on DNA methylation in the rat offspring.

Methods And Results: Female rats were placed on a control or folic acid-supplemented diet during pregnancy and lactation.

Effect of maternal and postweaning folic acid supplementation on colorectal cancer risk in the offspring.

Background: Intrauterine and early life exposure to folic acid has significantly increased in North America owing to folic acid fortification, widespread supplemental use and periconceptional folic acid supplementation. The effect of maternal and postweaning folic acid supplementation on colorectal cancer risk in the offspring was investigated.

Methods: Female rats were placed on a control or supplemental (2.

Effect of maternal and postweaning folic acid supplementation on mammary tumor risk in the offspring.

Intrauterine and early life exposure to folic acid has significantly increased in North America owing to folic acid fortification, widespread supplemental use, and periconceptional supplementation. We investigated the effects of maternal and postweaning folic acid supplementation on mammary tumor risk in the offspring. Female rats were placed on a control or folic acid-supplemented diet prior to mating and during pregnancy and lactation.

Folic acid supplementation provided in utero and during lactation reduces the number of terminal end buds of the developing mammary glands in the offspring.

Folate may prevent or promote cancer development and progression depending on the timing of intervention. Intrauterine exposure to folic acid has drastically increased in North America due to mandatory fortification and supplemental use of folic acid, which may influence the risk of breast cancer in the offspring. We investigated the effect of maternal folic acid supplementation, equivalent to the likely average post-fortification folate intake of a North American woman taking multivitamins containing folic acid, on terminal end buds, which reliably predict mammary tumor risk at adulthood in rodents.