Changes

==Roles in the Body==

==Roles in the Body==

===Amino Acid Metabolism===

===Amino Acid Metabolism===

Folic acid cofactors are used in the inter-conversion of [[Methionine and Cysteine - Nutrition#What are Methionine and Cysteine?|serine]] and [[Taurine - Nutrition#Roles in the Body|glycine]], histidine catabolism, and the regeneration of methionine via donation of a methyl group to homocysteine.1

Folic acid cofactors are used in the inter-conversion of [[Methionine and Cysteine - Nutrition#What are Methionine and Cysteine?|serine]] and [[Taurine - Nutrition#Roles in the Body|glycine]], histidine catabolism, and the regeneration of [[Methionine and Cysteine - Nutrition|methionine]] via donation of a methyl group to homocysteine.<ref name ="Shane">Shane B. (2000) '''Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin B6. In Biochemical and physiological aspects of human nutrition. '''2000 Philadelphia, PA: WB ''Saunders Company'' p. 484-500.</ref>

Nucleotide Synthesis: Folic acid derivatives are required for purine synthesis and also act as cofactors for thymidylate synthase and dihydrofolate reductase used in synthesis of thymine.1 Thymidylate synthase and dihydrofolate reductase have high expression in replicating tissue.  

 

Therapeutic Target: The folate antagonist methotrexate, which is used to treat certain types of cancers is a selective inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase.

===Nucleotide Synthesis===

Consequences of Folic Acid Deficiency

Folic acid derivatives are required for purine synthesis and also act as cofactors for thymidylate synthase and dihydrofolate reductase used in synthesis of thymine.<ref name="Shane" /> Thymidylate synthase and dihydrofolate reductase have high expression in replicating tissue.  

1. Dogs: Folic acid deficiency during gestation can result in cleft palate in puppies.2,3 Puppies fed folic acid deficient diets experience poor growth and chronic folic acid deficiency in adult can result in low haemoglobin and haematocrit concentrations.4

 

2. Cats: Kittens fed folic acid deficient diets experience decreased growth rate and megablastic anaemia.4 There are no published reports of folic acid deficiency in adult cats.

===Therapeutic Target===

Toxicity

The folate antagonist methotrexate, which is used to treat certain types of cancers is a selective inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase.

 

==Consequences of Folic Acid Deficiency==

===Dogs===

Folic acid deficiency during gestation can result in [[Cleft Palate|cleft palate]] in puppies.<ref>Elwood JM and Calquhoun TA. (1997) '''Observations on the prevention of cleft palate in dogs by folic acid and potential relevance to humans.''''' New Zeal Vet J'' 1997;45:254-256.</ref><ref>Domoslawska A, ''et al.'' (2013)''' Oral folic acid supplementation decreases palate and/or lip cleft occurrence in Pug and Chihuahua puppies and elevates folic acid blood levels in pregnant bitches. '''''Pol J Vet Sci'' 2013;16:33-37.</ref> Puppies fed folic acid deficient diets experience poor growth and chronic folic acid deficiency in adult can result in low haemoglobin and haematocrit concentrations.<ref name="NRC">National Research Council (NRC) (2006)''' Vitamins. In Nutrient Requirements for Dogs and Cats.''' 2006 ''Washington, DC: National Academies Press ''p.227-230.</ref>

Kittens fed folic acid deficient diets experience decreased growth rate and megablastic anaemia.<ref name="NRC" /> There are no published reports of folic acid deficiency in adult cats.

 

==Toxicity==

There are no published reports of folic acid toxicity in dogs and cats.  

There are no published reports of folic acid toxicity in dogs and cats.  

Dietary Sources

 

Naturally occurring folic acid is found in all foods, though in highest concentration in dark green leafy vegetables and animal proteins (e.g., muscle and organ meats, dairy, and eggs). Folic acid is also sensitive to degradation with heating and additional supplementation is required during commercial pet food manufacturing.

==Dietary Sources==

Diagnosing Folic Acid Deficiency

Naturally occurring folic acid is found in all foods, though in highest concentration in dark green leafy vegetables and animal proteins (e.g. muscle and organ meats, dairy, and eggs). Folic acid is also sensitive to degradation with heating and additional supplementation is required during commercial pet food manufacturing.

 

==Diagnosing Folic Acid Deficiency==

Diagnosis of folic acid deficiency is based on measurement of low serum folic acid concentration. Megaloblastic anaemia may be seen on haematology profiles.

Diagnosis of folic acid deficiency is based on measurement of low serum folic acid concentration. Megaloblastic anaemia may be seen on haematology profiles.

A deficiency can also be suspected based on the presence of clinical signs consistent with deficiency and evaluation of diet.  

A deficiency can also be suspected based on the presence of clinical signs consistent with deficiency and evaluation of diet.