Role of folic acid supplementation and/ or its absence during pregnancy on implantation of embryos – An experimental study of Wistar rats

Introduction: The present study was undertaken to know the effect of folic acid (FA) supplementation and FA absence diet during pregnancy on the number of implantation as well as their endometrial changes. Methods: Eighteen Wistar strain Albino rats were randomly divided into three groups and given different diets: Control group with normal diet, group with FA supplementation diet, and group with FA absent diet (with added Succinyl Sulfathiazole) for 5 weeks. The number of coloured thickenings along the uterine horns were identified by injecting 1% Evan's blue due solution. The sites of embryo implantation were fixed in 10% buffered formalin for 8 hours and embedded. Result: Average number of implantation observed in pregnant dams fed with FA supplementation diet was 10 in contrast it was 7 in diet with FA absent diet and 8 in control groups. Histologically, implantation site in FA supplemented group showed favorable endometrial environment than the other groups. Discussion: FA is essential in successful implantation by providing favorable receptive environment to receive the implantation-competent blastocyst for a successful pregnancy.