The role of choline in the physiology of reproductivity

Abstract

Choline is an essential nutrient, but intake among pregnant women is insufficient – only 7% of them consume adequate amounts of choline. The discrepancy between choline requirements and actual intake raises questions about the need for choline supplementation and its potential benefits for pregnant women. The diet of the expectant mother, rich in choline, in the preconception period ensures folliculogenesis and better quality of oocytes, changes the foetal epigenome, counteracting genomic defects during intrauterine development and reducing the susceptibility to metabolic changes in adulthood. Choline is a source of methyl groups and its consumption reduces the risk of NTDs by 7 times, so a promising trend in nutritional support of pregnancy and prevention of NTDs is the intake of folates and choline in combination with other micronutrients. Choline promotes the growth, proliferation and functioning of placental cells, transport of macronutrients, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. The risk of low foetal weight is reduced by 69% when choline is added to the mother’s regular diet. A significant connection has been shown between high levels of choline in the mother and a 2-fold reduction in the risk of preeclampsia, premature birth and a significant effect on the neurodevelopment and mental health of the child – improving neurocognitive functions and reducing the risk of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A choline supplement at a dose of 130 mg/day as part of the vitamin-mineral complex Femibion 1 is sufficient to meet the needs for this nutrient during the preconception period and in the first trimester of pregnancy. The need for choline supplementation in the pregravid period and the first trimester of pregnancy is because on folliculogenesis and oocyte protection, epigenetic programming, the effectiveness of preventing congenital malformations of the foetus, participation in metabolic and physiological processes in the placenta, reducing the risk of placenta-associated complications, influence on the development of nervous tissue and brain of the foetus and newborn.