(Center of Heart Development，College of Life Science，Hunan Normal University，Changsha 410081，China)
Abstract: Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, plays a key role in DNA synthesis, RNA transcription, homocysteine to methionine and cellular metabolism. Embryonic development is regulated by both environmental and genetic factors. Folic acid is an important nutrient for the normal development of animal embryonic organs. Maternal folic acid supplementation can reduce the risk of congenital organ dysplasia, such as heart, eyes, neural tube and kidney development abnormalities. In this study, we elucidates the involvement of folic acid transport, folic acid metabolism and the relationship between folic acid supplementation and epigenetic modifications in early embryonic organ development. In addition, we analyzed the effect of folic acid deficiency on the development of animal embryonic organs and the importance of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of abnormal embryonic organ development in the future.
Key words: folate acid; embryonic organ development; folate acid metabolism; DNA methylation; epigenetic modifications
（Acta Laser Biology Sinica, 2024, 33(3): 201-208）