Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Folate is a critical nutrient required for development. Folic acid (FA), the synthetic form of folate, has been fortified into grain products in Canada, which has greatly reduced neural tube defects. Folate deficiency in Canadian women is now rare; many women are consuming levels of FA above the recommended levels. This may pose risk because previous epidemiological research and preclinical studies in rodent models have shown that maternal FA over-supplementation may increase type 2 diabetes risk in offspring by promoting insulin resistance and negative effects on glucose homeostasis. The mechanisms mediating these effects are unknown, but may involve the pancreas, which contains cells responsible for controlling glucose levels. This study will use mice fed a standard diet (2 mg/kg FA), or a FA-supplemented diet (10 mg/kg FA). The supplemented diet translates to a woman taking 5x the dose (5mg) commonly found in prenatal supplements in Canada (1mg). Pancreatic development of the offspring in both groups will be assessed by examining cell proliferation, vascularization, and gene expression in the pancreas. This work may characterize the role of folate in pancreatic development and mechanisms responsible for the effects of excess maternal FA intake during pregnancy and lactation on the development of the offspring pancreas.