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Abstract
This study is a randomized controlled intervention trial investigating the response of unmetabolized folic acid and biomarkers of folate and one-carbon metabolism in maternal and cord blood to 400g/d or 800g/d folic acid (FA) supplementation during gestation. FA dose did not influence maternal folate status, while cord blood from the 800g/d FA group contained higher concentrations of serum folate than cord blood from the 400g/d group. FA dose affected unmetabolized folic acid concentrations in maternal but not cord blood, suggesting the presence of a protective mechanism in the placenta. Cord blood plasma choline concentrations from the 800g/d FA group were higher than from the 400g/d FA group, suggesting that a higher dose of maternal FA may spare choline in cord blood to be utilized for other fetal functions. These results indicate that FA dose during pregnancy has distinct effects on folate and one-carbon biomarkers in maternal and cord blood.