Choline is an essential nutrient for humans which plays an important role in structural integrity and signaling functions. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid, highly enriched in cell membranes of the brain. Dietary intake of choline or DHA alone by pregnant mothers directly affects fetal brain development and function. But no studies show the efficacy of combined supplementation of choline and DHA on fetal neurodevelopment. The aim of the present study was to analyze fetal neurodevelopment on combined supplementation of pregnant dams with choline and DHA. Pregnant dams were divided into five groups: normal control [NC], saline control [SC], choline [C], DHA, and C + DHA. Saline, choline, and DHA were given as supplements to appropriate groups of dams. NC dams were undisturbed during entire gestation. On postnatal day (PND) 40, brains were processed for Cresyl staining. Pups from choline or DHA supplemented group showed significant ( < 0.05) increase in number of neurons in hippocampus when compared to the same in NC and SC groups. Moreover, pups from C + DHA supplemented group showed significantly higher number of neurons ( < 0.001) in hippocampus when compared to the same in NC and SC groups. Thus combined supplementation of choline and DHA during normal pregnancy enhances fetal hippocampal neurodevelopment better than supplementation of choline or DHA alone.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/8748706 | DOI Listing |
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth
January 2025
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, Rotterdam, 3015 CE, Netherlands.
Background: Growing evidence demonstrates that maternal nutrition is crucial for the health of the mother-to-be, and early life course of the offspring. However, for most micronutrients, guidelines are inconsistent. This Delphi study aimed to investigate the level of expert consensus on maternal nutrition and micronutrient needs during preconception, pregnancy and lactation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFood Chem X
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China.
Egg yolk phospholipids are commercially valuable products that are beneficial to human health. Previous research on phospholipids in egg yolk mainly focuses on phosphatidyl choline (PC), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE), and fatty acid compositions, and neglects the esterification position and other bioactive phospholipids. This study found a total of 19 classes of phospholipids and 275 subclasses using lipidomics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Nutr
January 2025
Department of Animal Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA. Electronic address:
Background: Supplementing choline and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to pregnant gilts modified fetal pig hepatic global DNA methylation induced by gestational malnutrition, suggesting that gene expression and regulation and its associated metabolic pathways are affected in the liver of offspring during growth and development.
Objective: To investigate the effect of maternal supplementation of choline, DHA and their interaction on hepatic mRNA expression, miRNA regulation and metabolic pathways in the fetal pigs born to malnourished mothers.
Methods: The abundance of mRNA and miRNA was profiled in fetal liver from sows with undernutrition supplemented with choline and DHA in a 2 × 2 factorial design.
J Nutr
December 2024
Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States; Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States. Electronic address:
Pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity are characterized by metabolic differences affecting placental nutrient transport and fetal development. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is critical for fetal brain development and is primarily incorporated into phosphatidylcholine (PC). Recent evidence suggests that choline may enhance PC-DHA synthesis; however, data on the impact of maternal plasma choline on placental phospholipid DHA content in females with obesity are limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNutrients
September 2024
Fundación Bengoa, Caracas 1053, Venezuela.
Background/objectives: Choline and essential fatty acids (EFA) are vital for fetal brain development, supporting pregnancy, and maintaining hormonal balance. They also promote overall health. The childbearing years present a window of opportunity to increase the intake of these key nutrients and develop healthy dietary habits.
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