Choline distribution and metabolism in pregnant rats and fetuses are influenced by the choline content of the maternal diet.

Choline supplementation of pregnant rats between d 12 and 17 of pregnancy permanently enhances the spatial memory of offspring; however, the mechanism is unknown. We examined the effect of choline supplementation on metabolism of orally ingested choline by nonmated rats and pregnant rats and their fetuses. We studied the metabolism of an acute oral dose of 14C-choline chloride in pregnant and nonmated rats with and without choline supplementation (25 mmol/L choline chloride in water) on d 12-17 of pregnancy. During the first 2 h after oral dosing, plasma radiolabeled choline was detectable, whereas plasma choline metabolites contributed little to total radioactivity at any time. The pattern of accumulation of label in placentas was similar in all groups. Fetal tissues (i.e., brain, liver and carcass remnant) contained primarily 14C-phosphatidylcholine and 14C-phosphorylcholine. Also, we examined the fetal tissue distribution of isotopically labeled (deuterated) choline derived from the diet and from the dietary choline supplement. The distribution patterns for radiolabeled choline metabolites in fetuses of supplemented dams accumulated significantly (P < 0.01) more of their total choline and its metabolites than fetuses of control dams during d 12-17 of gestation (50 vs. 20%). In fetuses from supplemented dams, betaine concentrations were greater than in fetuses from control dams in all organs assayed (by 36-57%). Phosphorylcholine concentrations in brain of fetuses from supplemented dams were also greater. These experiments identify potential metabolites of choline that might mediate the observed effects on brain development in the rats.