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Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Quantification of Social Behavior in Adult Rats

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Published on: December 14, 2014

Impact of Maternal Riboflavin Deficiency on the Growth and Development of Offspring Rats.

S Gomathi¹, H Radha¹, G Bhanuprakash Reddy¹

¹Biochemistry Division, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Birth Defects Research

|January 6, 2026

Summary

Maternal riboflavin deficiency in rats led to reduced litter size and impaired offspring development, including delayed milestones and lower body weight. Supplementation partially improved outcomes, highlighting the importance of adequate riboflavin intake during pregnancy.

Keywords:

development growth micronutrient offspring pregnancy vitamin B2 vitamin deficiency

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Area of Science:

Nutritional Science
Developmental Biology
Reproductive Health

Background:

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is essential for energy metabolism and physiological functions.
Pregnant women are at increased risk of riboflavin deficiency.
The impact of maternal riboflavin deficiency on offspring development is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of maternal riboflavin deficiency on offspring development in Wistar rats.
To assess the impact on reproductive indices, developmental milestones, and morphometric parameters in pups.
To evaluate the potential for recovery with riboflavin replenishment.

Main Methods:

Female Wistar rats were assigned to control, pair-fed, or riboflavin-deficient diets for 6 weeks.
Mating occurred, and offspring were studied through lactation and weaning.
Assessments included reproductive indices, pup developmental milestones, morphometrics, and blood FAD levels (HPLC).

Main Results:

Riboflavin deficiency reduced maternal body weight and litter size but did not affect fertility.
Offspring exhibited delayed developmental milestones (pinna unfolding, eye opening, fur formation) and reduced morphometric measures.
Increased post-weaning mortality in deficient pups was observed, potentially linked to hypoglycemia; replenishment showed partial recovery.

Conclusions:

Maternal riboflavin deficiency significantly hinders offspring growth and delays developmental milestones.
Adequate maternal riboflavin intake is critical for optimal fetal and postnatal development.
Riboflavin replenishment can partially mitigate adverse developmental effects.