Disturbed reproductive performance in extreme folic acid deficient golden hamsters

We studied the effects of folic acid-deficient diets on maternal red blood cell folate level and reproductive performance in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus, Waterhouse). Animals on the same day of oestrous cycle were put together and finally divided into three groups. Each group comprised at least 12 mature female hamsters. The animals were given three different diets, which were commenced before mating. The feeding regimens comprised a standard diet (group 1), or a folic acid-deficient diet which started either 2 weeks (group 2) or 16 weeks (group 3) prior to mating. The regimens were continued until sacrifice of the animals on day 9 of pregnancy. Pregnancy was realized by caging a male with a selected female during the night of ovulation. Just prior to sacrifice, blood samples were drawn to measure maternal folic acid levels in red blood cells. The pregnant uteri were removed and the embryonic sacs were carefully dissected away from the uterus. The number of sacs per pregnant animal was noted. Extreme folic acid deficiencies were confirmed in the pregnant golden hamsters on a folic acid-deficient diet which started 16 weeks prior to mating as compared to those on a standard diet and on a folic acid-deficient diet which started 2 weeks prior to mating. This deficiency appears to interfere with normal reproductive performance. It caused early embryonic loss several days after mating and resulted, finally, in restoration of the oestrous cycle.