EFFECT OF FOLIC ACID ON TOOTH DEVELOPMENT IN ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin important for the transfer of one- carbon units to various compounds for the synthesis of purines, methionine from homocysteine, DNA synthesis, as coenzyme for amino acid interconversions and protein synthesis. This study was performed to detect the effect of FA on tooth development of rat pups of albino rats. Eighteen adult female albino rats were used in the present study, divided into two main groups: Control group: consisted of 6 female albino rats. Study group: consisted of 12 female albino rats. All the animals were fed on the control diet, which contained the optimum level of FA 2mg/Kg diet. The study group was received 18pg/day oral administration of FA and according to the time of administration of FA it was divided into two main subgroups: Subgroup (IA): consisted of 6 female albino rats and were received FA administration 7 days prior to caging. Subgroup (IIA): consisted of 6 female albino rats and were received FA administration once the pregnancy was recognized. After delivery, 9 rat pups were collected from each subgroup of the study group and 6 rat pups from the control group. According to the time of euthanization, the rat pups were divided into 3 groups. The study group rat pups: Subgroup (IA) rat pups were divided as followed; Group 1: consisted of 3 rat pups and were euthanized after birth. Group 2: consisted of 3 rat pups and were euthanized 7 days after birth.