The effect of cigarette smoke exposure on developing folate binding protein-2 null mice.

Environmental tobacco smoke exposures have been linked to adverse health effects. Folate is essential for normal development, with deficiencies often causing fetal growth restriction. Mice lacking the folate binding protein-2 receptor (Folr2) exhibit increased susceptibility to teratogens. The purpose of the current study was to determine if the loss of Folr2 would increase sensitivity to cigarette smoke-induced effects on development. Pregnant Folr2(-/-), Folr2(+/+), and C57BL/6J mice were exposed to sidestream cigarette smoke during gestation. Exposure to sidestream smoke on gd 6-9 had no adverse effects on fetal outcomes. However, cigarette smoke exposure on gd 6-18.5 increased the number of fetal resorptions (Folr2(-/-) cohort) and decreased crown-rump length (Folr2(+/+) fetuses). These data confirm an association between sidestream smoke exposure and fetal growth restriction, but do not suggest that loss of Folr2 increased susceptibility to these effects.