It has been confirmed for some time that folates are essential micronutrients even before conception as they prevent the risk of birth defects related to non-closure of the fetal neural tube.
Adequate folate supplementation before planning a pregnancy increases the chances of a successful pregnancy and good fetal health.
As recommended by the Italian Network for Folic Acid Promotion, women of childbearing age who anticipate or do not exclude pregnancy should take an additional 400 micrograms per day (0.4 mg/day) of vitamin B9 starting at least 1 month before conception and up to the third month of pregnancy (periconceptional period).
Folate has been shown to have a beneficial effect on ovarian function, although the exact mechanism has yet to be identified.
Several studies have shown the importance of the proportion of folate and homocysteine amino acid concentrations in the maturing microenvironment of the oocyte (female reproductive cell), i.e., in the follicular fluid.
An excess of homocysteine and/or a lack of folic acid could in fact compromise the adequate maturation of the oocyte and the correct development of the embryo (embryogenesis). It has also been shown that folate and homocysteine are present in the follicular fluid (liquid that surrounds the oocyte during its maturation phase) as a proportion in circulating blood levels.
Folate also contributes to the reduction of homocysteine concentration via a methionine remethylation reaction (displacement of a methyl -CH₃ group from one molecule to another). The lack of folate thus leads to an increase in the concentration of homocysteine. High concentrations of homocysteine in the follicular fluid can be detrimental to the quality and maturation of the oocyte, with a consequent negative impact on embryo fertilization, implantation and development. The microenvironment of the maturing oocyte is thus positively influenced by folate.
