TISSUE VITAMIN-C LEVELS OF GUINEA-PIG OFFSPRING ARE INFLUENCED BY MATERNAL VITAMIN-C INTAKE DURING PREGNANCY

The effect of a low to excessive maternal vitamin C intake during preg nancy on the vitamin C concentration of plasma and tissues of guinea p ig dams and their pups was evaluated on the day of birth of the litter . Darns were provided low (0.15 g/kg diet) (n = 7 litters), normal (0. 50 g/kg) (n = 2 litters), or excess (10 g/kg) (n = 8 litters) dietary vitamin C levels. Maternal weight gain during pregnancy, gestational l ength, and weight and crown-rump length of pups were similar among vit amin C groups. For plasma, vitamin C values were 5 fold higher for FLI PS and darns of the excess vitamin C group, compared with pups and dam s of the low vitamin C group (P < 0.005, P < 0.001, respectively). For liver, vitamin C values were 4 to 5 fold higher for pups and dams of the excess maternal group, compared with pups and darns of the low vit amin C group (P < 0.005 P < 0.005, respectively). For adrenals, values were 2 to 3.5 fold higher for pups and darns of the excess vitamin C group, compared with the low ascorbic acid group (P < 0.01, P < 0.005, respectively). For cerebellum, values were 150% higher for pups of th e excess vitamin C group compared with pups of the low vitamin C group (P < 0.01). Vitamin C levels of plasma and tissues, for pups and dams , were similar between the low and normal vitamin C groups and between the normal and excess vitamin C groups. Thus, plasma and tissue vitam in C concentration of pups, but not litter outcomes, are influenced by maternal vitamin C intake.