Effect of folic acid supplements on homocysteine concentration in plasma of gestating sows

An experiment comprising 19 German Landrace sows was established to evaluat e the effect of folic acid supplements (10mg/kg concentrate) on homocystein e and folic acid concentration in plasma and serum, respectively, of highly pregnant sows as compared to an unsupplemented control (basal diet contain ed 0.62 mg folic acid/kg concentrate). Blood samples were taken between day 75 and 110 of gestation for homocysteine analysis and on day 100 of gestat ion for folic acid determination. Due to the folic acid supplements serum f olic acid concentration increased significantly (104 nmol/l in controls and 140 nmol/l in supplemented sows). In contrast, homocysteine concentration in the plasma was not significantly influenced by folic acid supplements (1 6.5 mu mol/l in controls and 15.2 mu mol/l in supplemented sows). Further i nvestigations seem to be necessary to clarify the physiology of homocystein e metabolism in swine.